HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK ---------------------------
2001-12-21 12:20 MSK - Britain, Russia partners on Afghanistan
MOSCOW -
London and Moscow, adversaries since the 19th century, are burying the hatchet
and cooperating to build a stable Afghanistan, British Prime Minister Tony Blair
said in an interview published on Thursday. Blair, interviewed by Interfax news
agency on the eve of a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin, also said he
wanted closer cooperation between Moscow and NATO while leaving aside for now
Russian membership of the bloc. Blair praised Russia's backing for the U.S.-led
anti-terrorism coalition and vowed coalition members would not repeat the West's
mistake of more than a decade ago in abandoning Afghanistan to its own fate. "In
the last century, Russia and Britain vied for influence in Afghanistan as part
of the 'Great Game'," Blair, whose meeting with Putin will be his ninth this
year, told Interfax. "Now we share a common interest in the development of
Afghanistan as a viable state ready to take its place in the community of
nations." The international community, he said, had a responsibility to support
Kabul's interim administration with a stabilisation force, to be led by Britain,
and to offer humanitarian help. "We will not make the mistakes of the past -
leaving Afghanistan to its own devices," he said. British policy in Afghanistan
in the 19th century was mainly aimed at countering Russian influence. An attempt
to install a compliant ruler in Kabul triggered a popular revolt in which some
16,000 British and Indian troops were killed. Two further attempts to defeat
Afghan tribesmen failed in 1878-79 and 1919. Blair said the U.S.-led
anti-terrorism campaign would eventually enter a new phase, but dodged a
question on whether this meant attacks on Iraq. Moscow opposes attacking
Baghdad. "The precise nature of our response will be a matter for careful
consultation and deliberation," he said. "We will act only on the basis of
evidence." Blair stood by his proposals to NATO Secretary-General Lord Robertson
to build closer ties with Russia. "As for Russia joining NATO, that's not a
question for now," he said. "We should focus for now on developing practical
cooperation of immediate benefit to Russia and NATO." The British leader pursued
the West's softer policy on Moscow's two-year-old military campaign in Chechnya,
offering none of the criticism of alleged excesses by the Russian military
routinely voiced until earlier this year. Russia says separatists in Chechnya
are backed by an international terrorist network, including Saudi-born militant
Osama bin Laden. Washington has named bin Laden as the mastermind behind the
September 11 hijack attacks on the United States. "We recognise Russia's
territorial integrity and its right and obligation to defend its citizens from
terrorism," Blair said, calling for a political solution and welcoming recent
contacts between representatives of the Kremlin and rebels. -Reuters
==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9WB2D Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
