Rice criticises Russia but dismisses Cold War talk

DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Wednesday Russia was guilty of unwise and irresponsible rhetoric but dismissed talk of any return to Cold War tension.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Rice said the United States and Russia were still collaborating in many fields, despite some disappointments in their relations.

"The fact is that the United States and Russia are working constructively today on many issues of mutual interest -- from counter-proliferation, to counter-terrorism, to the pursuit of peace in the Middle East," Rice said.

"And we are determined to remember this, even when we hear unwise and irresponsible rhetoric from Russia that harkens back to an earlier time."

Moscow and Washington have clashed over U.S. plans for a missile defence shield in Europe, differing views of Russian democracy, the future of the Serb province of Kosovo and the war in Iraq, although they have cooperated to some extent over Iran's nuclear programme.

"To be sure, there have been disappointments," Rice said, calling for political and economic reform in Russia.

"We believe that Russia's greatness will ultimately be secured best through greater political freedom for its people -- and through the establishment of strong institutions that check the power of the state, rather than serve the interests of a few."

She also called on Russia, a major oil and gas producer, to "contribute to a transparent and open global energy economy, not a monopolistic one".

She said that, whatever difficulties the two countries faced, they were not returning to a Cold War stand-off.