Extracts. UN Should Play Important Role in World Fight Against Terrorism: China. China said Monday that the United Nations should "play an important role" in the world efforts to "prevent and combat all forms of terrorist activities." The statement came as Wang Yingfan, the Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations, was speaking at the 56th General Assembly session on "the Report of the UN Secretary-General on the Work of the Organization." The September 11 attacks on New York and Washington "have once again demonstrated that at present terrorism is a salient problem and has become a major threat to international peace and security and that all countries in the world should strengthen cooperation and make joint efforts, for the sake of their common interests, to prevent and combat all forms of terrorist activities," he said. "The United Nations should play an important role in this regard," he said. "The Chinese Delegation is going to participate actively in relevant discussions and make its own contribution to strengthening international cooperation against terrorism." Under the United Nations Charter, the 189-nation world body has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. China, France and Russia, the three permanent members of the UN Security Council, and many other countries have called upon the United Nations to play an important role in the global efforts to prevent and fight terrorism after the terrorist attacks on the United States, in which more than 6,000 people are missing or killed. Envoy on World Peace The senior Chinese diplomat said that U.N. peacekeeping efforts have achieved positive results in some regions of the globe, particularly in Africa, but the world is still far from tranquillity. Wang Yingfan, the Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations, told a plenary General Assembly session that the UN peacekeeping efforts have paid off thanks to the UN reform campaigns to strengthen UN peacekeeping capabilities. Progresses are being made in promoting peace process in Sierra Leone, Ethiopia and Eritrea. "However, the world is still far from tranquillity," Wang said. "People in many countries are still living in miseries caused by war and disturbances," he said, citing the continuing conflict between Israel and Palestine, which "has seriously undermined regional peace and stability." "At the same time, issues such as drug trafficking and abuse, the deterioration of the environment, the spread of diseases and refugee problem have done more notable harms to security than before," he said. "Rampant and unchecked activities by terrorists, separatists and the extremists have caused more and more damage and posed a new challenge to world peace and security," he said. It is an indisputable fact that the overwhelming majority of today's conflicts occur in the economically underdeveloped countries and regions, he said. "Extreme poverty has put a strong grip on economic development and social progress of those countries and regions, causing regional disturbances and even armed conflicts." "The international community, therefore, must strive to remove the root causes of these problems and make earnest efforts to help developing countries to solve the more fundamental issue of economic backwardness -- a primary catalyst for conflicts," he said. "Past experience in conflict resolution in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe has demonstrated that the most effective way of conflict prevention and resolution and realizing lasting peace and security and common security is to resolve differences and disputes through dialogue, negotiation and consultation in strict accordance with the purpose and principles of the U.N. Charter," he said. "This is the principle that must be always strictly followed in the process of preventing and resolving conflicts," he stressed. **** Putin Formulates Russia's Position on US Strikes. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday put forward five principles on Russia's position on possible US retaliatory strikes against terrorism. Making a nation-wide televised address in the ORT television, Putin urged intensive cooperation among the intelligence services of various countries for tracking down international terrorists and their bases. The President pledged to open Russia's airspace for the delivery of humanitarian cargoes to the site of possible anti- terrorist operation. He stressed that Russia decided its position after consultation with its Central Asian allies, which are considering making their airfields available for the operation Putin also noted Russia's readiness to take part in a possible international search and rescue operation within the framework of anti-terrorist operation. The last principle, Putin said, is to expand cooperation with the internationally recognized Afghan government of Burhanuddin Rabbani and to give its armed forces additional assistance in the form of weapons supplies. The President also spoke of the creation of a special group to deal with Russia's cooperation with countries participating in the counter-terrorist operation. He said the team, headed by Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov, will "collect and analyze information and exchange it with the participants in the operation." Putin also called to strengthen the role of the U. N. and its Security Council in the fight against international terrorism. It is necessary to improve international legal basis in order to make an effective and timely response to terror acts, Putin said. "The Russian Federation has been fighting international terrorism for a long time, counting only on itself, and has repeatedly called on the world community to join hands," he added. Putin made the remarks shortly after his meeting with parliamentary leaders on the issue. Russia Rules Out Participation in US Strikes. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov on Monday ruled out Russia's participation in a possible US-led military operation against international terrorists. "That is absolutely impossible. It is out of the question," Ivanov told reporters here. Ivanov said a senior Pentagon delegation will come to Moscow for discussion of possible military action against the Afghan Taliban movement late next week. He also said Russia had been supplying Afghanistan's Northern Alliance, which is fighting against the Taliban, with weapons "for the past few years." "Russia has not acted alone on those lines," he said. "Iran and India have also been helping us," he added. Ivanov said the Northern Alliance leadership asked him for weapons and humanitarian help for fears that refugees may flood territory under their control. The minister insisted the international community also give humanitarian aid to the Northern Alliance. Commenting on President Vladimir Putin's pledge to offer airspace for the delivery of humanitarian relief to the war site, Ivanov said armaments must not be on any transit aircraft, whether it is military or civilian. Russian Foreign Ministry said on the same day that it is considering evacuating its diplomatic missions in Pakistan, members of their families and other Russians permanently living in this country if the situation there deteriorates. The ministry "maintains constant contact with the Russian embassy in Islamabad and the consulate general in Karachi. It is taking a set of measures to ensure the security of Russian citizens," a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman said Monday in connection with possible U.S. strikes against neighboring Afghanistan. **** Senior CPC Official Meets Kazakhstan Delegation. Li Peng, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), met with a delegation from the Republic Party of "Otan" of Kazakhstan Monday. Li, also chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, expressed his congratulations on the upcoming 10th anniversary of Kazakhstan's independence. He said that, with efforts from leaders of the two countries and their peoples, bilateral relations have been furthered since the two countries set up diplomatic relations. In the past few years, there has been new progress in bilateral cooperation in various fields and more high-level contacts, Li noted. This has pushed forward the sustained and steady development of bilateral friendship and cooperation in the new century in such fields as politics, economy and culture, stated Li, adding his appreciation for this. Noting that party-to-party relationships are an important component of bilateral relations, Li said that the close contacts between the two parties will contribute positively to the furthering of bilateral ties. The CPC will, on the basis of independence, complete equality, mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, conduct exchanges with all political parties that are willing to enhance relations with the CPC, in a bid to promote the smooth development of state-to-state relations, he affirmed. Li also briefed the delegation on China's people's congress system, democratic and legal construction, and economic development. S.A. Tereshchenko, president of "Otan" and head of the delegation, conveyed Kazakhstan's President Nazarbayev's greetings to Li. He recalled his China visits in 1992 and 1999, saying that he has witnessed the great changes which have taken place in China, and that many countries can learn from China's rapid economic progress. He said Kazakhstan attaches importance to the development of its friendly and cooperative relations with its neighboring countries since gaining independence, especially with China. He said he hoped that friendly exchanges in various fields would help further bilateral cooperation of mutual benefit. The "Otan" will make efforts along with the CPC to actively push forward the sound and steady development of bilateral good- neighborly and friendly relations in the new century. The delegation is here as guests of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee. '*** Latest: US President Bush Postpones Asian Visit _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki Phone +358-40-7177941 Fax +358-9-7591081 http://www.kominf.pp.fi General class struggle news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe mails to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Geopolitical news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________
