Russia seeks key role in Afghanistan

By Vladimir Radyuhin

MOSCOW, NOV. 20. Russia is pushing for a decisive role in the post- Taliban arrangement in Afghanistan, pledging military and political support for the Northern Alliance.

Russia became the first country to send an official mission to Kabul on Nov. 18 in a demonstration of support for the anti- Taliban Government of Mr. Burhanuddin Rabbani. Mr. Alexander Oblov, a senior diplomat who leads the mission, told Russian Television on Tuesday that he had met Mr. Rabbani and discussed ``bilateral relations between Russia and Afghanistan.''

``Mr. Rabbani has expressed a desire that we reopen the Russian embassy in Kabul as early as possible,'' the envoy said.

The Russian mission is also to meet leaders of different ethnic groups to discuss the formation of a broad- based, multi-ethnic Government in Afghanistan.

Even though the Russian mission is led by a diplomat, it is the military which is playing the first fiddle. The 12- member group also includes officials from the Emergency Situations Ministry, which is handling humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. According to Russia's Defence Minister, Mr. Sergei Ivanov, his Ministry is the nodal agency for the coalition operation in Afghanistan and the new situation on the ground dictated that Russian defence officials be in Kabul to coordinate arms supplies to the Northern Alliance. ``We have given and will continue to give military- technical assistance to the Northern Alliance,'' Mr. Ivanov said.

Speaking to reporters in Moscow, the Russian defence chief defended the Northern Alliance's decision to enter Kabul against U.S. objections.

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Section  : International
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