Russia warns CIS to stay out of U.S. strikes

By Vladimir Radyuhin

MOSCOW, OCT. 2. Russia has urged former Soviet republics to refrain from taking part in the planned U.S. military operation in Afghanistan. Members of the Commonwealth of Independent States should not participate ``in military action in Afghanistan'', the Itar-Tass news agency quoted the Russian security service chief as saying after a two-day meeting of CIS security and intelligence chiefs in Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan.

The head of the Federal Security Service, Mr. Nikolai Patrushev, said on Tuesday that he believed none of the CIS member-States was willing to take part in the U.S. operation in Afghanistan. ``He stressed that CIS countries should not provide army and security units or offer their military airfields for the U.S. military operation in Afghanistan,'' Itar-Tass said. According to Mr. Patrishev, CIS members should participate in the fight against terrorism mainly by sharing intelligence information with the U.S.

The statement reflected Russia's concerns that the U.S. could take advantage of the planned strikes in Afghanistan to recarve in its favour the spheres of influence in Central Asia. Russian media cited Kremlin sources as being ``extremely upset'' by Uzbekistan's offer of military facilities to the U.S.

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Section  : International
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