The Hindu : Russia slams countries supporting terrorism

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 06, 2002

International

International

Russia slams countries supporting terrorism

By Vladimir Radyuhin

MOSCOW DEC. 5. Without naming Pakistan, the Russian defence chief denounced countries which support terrorists and work to destabilise the situation in Afghanistan and other countries.

Arriving in Bishkek, Kyrghystan, a day ahead of the visit of the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, to the Central Asian state, the Defence Minister, Sergei Ivanov, accused certain nations of practising double standard towards Afghanistan. ``Attempts to destabilise the situation in Afghanistan, including the latest attempt on the life of the Defence Minister, (General Mohammad) Fahim, reflect a policy of double standard pursued by some States,'' Mr. Ivanov said, commenting on a report that the suicide bomber who tried to kill Afghanistan's military leader had been trained in Pakistan.

``There are forces which work to destabilise the interim government of Afghanistan,'' the Russian Defence Minister told reporters in Bishkek. "I do not want to point a finger at this or that country, but unfortunately there are a number of States which claim... to be active members of the anti-terrorist coalition, but in reality... support terrorists or do not control the situation on their own territory.''

Mr. Putin arrived in Bishkek today for a one-day visit on the way back from Delhi to Moscow, to discuss the situation in Central Asia and the establishment of a Russian military airbase in Kyrghystan. In the past few days Russia has flown seven warplanes to the Kant airfield, 20 km. from Bishkek, where the U.S. and French anti-terrorist coalition forces are based at Manas airport. When fully deployed, the Russian base will house about 20 aircraft and 700 personnel, Russian defence sources said. It will be part of the Rapid Reaction Force for Central Asia, set up last year under the Collective Security Treaty, which unites Russia and five other former Soviet States.

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