Putin supports worldwide coalition

BERLIN, SEPT. 25.The Russian President, Mr. Vladimir Putin, underlined his country's commitment to an international coalition against terror after talks with German leaders on Tuesday, calling for the ``complete ideological and political isolation'' of international terrorists.

Already assured a warm welcome by Russia's staunchest friend in Europe, Mr. Putin earned praise from the German Chancellor, Mr. Gerhard Schroeder, for supporting the United States after the devastating attacks in New York and Washington.

``This shows that we are well-advised to work with Russia as a partner to combating worldwide threats,'' Mr. Schroeder said at a news conference. ``That wasn't everywhere so clear. Now it is.'' Though the two leaders have established a close relationship, past meetings have often raised disputes such as Moscow's foreign debt. Now, Russia's experience in combating Islamic extremism, its knowledge of Afghanistan and influence over neighbouring Central Asia give it new political leverage.

On his first trip west since the Sept. 11 attacks, Mr. Putin was received earlier by the President, Mr. Johannes Rau. He also was to give a speech in the German Parliament.

After meeting Mr. Schroeder, he reiterated Russia's readiness to combat international terror, but gave no new clues on how far Russia will go to support U.S.-led efforts to hunt down Osama bin Laden, the Saudi multimillionaire that Washington suspects was behind the attacks.

``We must give no quarter to terrorists,'' Mr. Putin said. ``They must feel themselves in complete ideological and political isolation.''

Mr. Schroeder welcomed a speech Monday by Mr. Putin, in which he offered broad support for the U.S. anti-terrorism drive, opening Russian airspace to humanitarian flights and pledging to arm opposition forces fighting Afghanistan's Taliban Government.

In a speech on national television, Mr. Putin also said Moscow would be ready to help in search-and-rescue operations.

Mr. Schroeder also said that the terror attacks must also lead to a ``new evaluation'' of Russia's battle against Islamic rebels in Chechnya. Russia has been accused of human rights abuses in that struggle.

The United States accuses the Taliban of sheltering Osama bin Laden, who it accuses of masterminding the Sept. 11 attacks.

For Mr. Putin, the three-day State visit to Germany is a chance to work on the ``strategic partnership'' with Moscow that Europe, and especially Germany, have been eager to promote since the end of the Cold War.

Mr. Putin's rapport with Germany has been helped by his command of German. In four previous summits, images of Mr. Putin and Mr. Schroeder riding a Russian sled or chatting with each other's wives in the Reichstag also conveyed a sense of German-Russian camaraderie.

Even the debt issue won't ruffle relations this time because Russia has kept to its repayment schedule this year.

Germany holds nearly half of the about $ 48 billions Russia owes to the Paris Club of Creditor Nations, more than any other country. A smaller amount of debt is also left over from former East Germany.

Mubarak's stress on W. Asia

Meanwhile, the Egyptian President, Mr. Hosni Mubarak, said today that finding a solution in the Middle- East was the only way that the United States would be successful in its ``war on terrorism''.

``We support the United States in fighting terrorism... But without solving the Palestine problem with the help of the United States and Europe, we will see a new generation of terrorists threatening world security,'' Mr. Mubarak told a joint news conference with chancellor, Mr. Gerhard Schroeder.

Mr. Mubarak, who is seen as one of Washington's key allies in the Middle-East, was in Germany as part of a whistle- stop European tour, which began in France yesterday.

The German and Egyptian leaders held about an hour of talks before Mr. Mubarak flew to Rome.

``The Middle-East and what is happening with the Palestinian situation is set to increase terror,'' Mr. Mubarak said.

``Dealing with war is easier than dealing with terrorism. There is no doubt that the next measures must relate to the Middle- East,'' Mr. Mubarak said.

- AP, Reuters

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Previous : Support for lifting 'democracy' sanctions against
           Pak.
Next     : The cloak of invisibility