Talks between Ivanov and Rice, who was accompanied by US ambassador to Moscow Alexander Vershbow, were to focus on US-Russian relations, Interfax added.

Rice, who arrived in Moscow Sunday, was also to hold talks with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov and Russian security council chief Vladimir Rushailo.

But a US official in Washington, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said Sunday Rice would also discuss the shooting incident with Russian President Vladimir Putin before travelling on to meet up with US President George W. Bush in Northern Ireland on Monday or Tuesday.

Five Russian diplomatic staff were injured when a car convoy evacuating the Russian ambassador to Iraq from Baghdad to Syria came under fire, a Russian foreign ministry spokesman said late Sunday.

A Russian journalist traveling with the group, Rossiya's correspondent Alexander Minakov, said US forces initiated the shooting.

But US Central Command in Qatar said Iraqi forces controlled the area and "initial reports" indicated there were no US or British troops nearby.

In Washington, General Peter Pace, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the Pentagon was investigating.

"There was no reporting by any ground unit of the coalition of any kind of contact" with the motorcade, he said.

SPACE.WIRE