India, Russia against double- standards

By Vladimir Radyuhin

MOSCOW, OCT. 9. India and Russia have warned against the policy of double-standards in fighting terrorism and reiterated their shared approach to the problem.

The Russian President, Mr. Vladimir Putin, telephoned the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, on Monday to compare notes on the U.S.-led air strikes against Afghanistan late on Monday, amid reports of increased Russian activity in Central Asia.

In discussing the situation in the region the two leaders noted ``a traditional closeness in views shared by their two countries in regard to efforts undertaken by the international community to control the threat of terrorism'', the Russian President's press service said in a statement.

Both leaders ``stressed the need for consolidation of international action against terrorism'' and came out against ``the policy of double-standards which can hamper unity in the anti-terrorist coalition''.

The conversation took place on Monday night, shortly after the U.S. notified the U.N. that it may extend anti-terrorist strikes to other countries habouring terrorists. Russian politicians have warned that American strikes against such countries as Iran, Iraq and Yemen could break up the anti-Taliban coalition.

Meanwhile Russia has given the green light to the American military presence in Tajikistan, the second Central Asian state after Uzbekistan to have opened its air space and air fields to the U.S. military. The Tajik Government on Monday officially offered its facilities ``for the operation against terrorist bases in Afghanistan''. The offer was followed by reports that Washington was sending another 1,000 troops to Central Asia in addition to 1,000 deployed in Uzbekistan.

Moscow has also moved to hammer out a common stand with its former Soviet allies on their involvement in the U.S.-led military operation. ``A unified political line in the struggle against international terrorism'' calls for sharing of intelligence data, opening the air space for humanitarian missions, and participation in search and rescue operations, Russia's Security Council Secretary, Mr. Vladimir Rushailo, said today in Tajikistan after a two-day meeting of the security chiefs from the CIS countries.

Mr. Rushailo did not rule out ``more profound forms of cooperation'' with West nations which would depend ``on the degree of understanding and quality of relations with these countries''. He made it clear that Russia would not tolerate permanent U.S. military presence in Central Asia.

Any cooperation with the West ``must be limited in time to the period on the anti-terrorist operation by signing special accords with the U.S.'', the Russian security chief said.

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Section  : International
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