Terrorist attacks on U.S.: the international reaction (12/09/01)

Terrorist attacks on U.S.: the international reaction

Special from RFE/RL Newsline

Kyrgyzstan OKs use of airport

BISHKEK - Following talks in Bishkek on December 3 between Kyrgyz President Askar Akaev and U.S. and French military officials, presidential adviser Askar Aitmatov told Reuters that the Kyrgyz leadership has agreed "in principle" to allow the international anti-terrorism coalition to station warplanes at the Manas international airport near the Kyrgyz capital for the duration of the fighting in Afghanistan. That consent must be endorsed by both chambers of Kyrgyzstan's Parliament, according to ITAR-TASS. Security Council Secretary Misir Ashirkulov said that Manas can accommodate some 30 to 40 aircraft, which will probably include French Mirage fighter-bombers and transport aircraft from the United States, Canada or Italy.

Tajiks confirm foreign military's presence

DUSHANBE - Tajik Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Igor Sattarov told a press briefing in Dushanbe on December 4 that 21 military experts from the United States and a further 38 from Italy have arrived in Dushanbe to ascertain which of Tajikistan's airfields is suitable for use by the international anti-terrorism coalition, Asia Plus-Blitz reported. He added that some 186 French troops are scheduled to arrive in Tajikistan on December 5. The U.S. experts traveled on December 4 to southern Tajikistan to inspect the airbase at Kulyab, Interfax reported. The Associated Press quoted President Imomali Rakhmonov as telling ORT television that he has agreed to French and U.S. combat aircraft using the Kulyab base.

Afghan war vet leads Russian operations

MOSCOW - President Vladimir Putin appointed Deputy Emergency Situations Minister Col. Gen. Valerii Vostrotin to coordinate Russia's political, humanitarian and organizational activities in Afghanistan, Russian news agencies reported on November 27. A veteran of Soviet airborne troops, Mr. Vostrotin made his name at the beginning of the Soviet-Afghan war in 1979, when a group of KGB operatives and special forces troops stormed the palace of Afghanistan President Hafizulla Amin and killed him. Mr. Vostrotin, then a major, was the commander of one of the attacking units. He served with Soviet troops in Afghanistan for 10 years, and was known as a very tough and cunning officer.

Russia seeks role in Afghan settlement

MOSCOW - Following a session of the Council of Ministers from the Collective Security Treaty signatories on November 28, Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Igor Ivanov said Russia, along with the other signatories, intends to "actively participate in a post-crisis political settlement in Afghanistan," Interfax reported. Mr. Ivanov said Russia favors a "widely representative government, representing all ethnic groups and honoring its commitments to the international community on eliminating terrorist bases and hotbeds of organized crime and drug trafficking." Members of the Collective Security Treaty include Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Kazakstan ready to host coalition forces

ASTANA - Kazakstan's President Nursultan Nazarbaev said in Moscow on November 29 that his country "is ready to consider" requests by the international anti-terrorism coalition to station troops on Kazak territory, Reuters and ITAR-TASS reported. Mr. Nazarbaev added, however, that no such requests have been received.

New channel opened for shipping aid

MOSCOW - Meeting on November 28 at the Nizhnii Pyandj border post between Tajikistan and Afghanistan, Afghan, Tajik, United Nations and Russian officials reached agreement on reopening that checkpoint and resuming ferry traffic across the Pyandj River to speed up the transportation of humanitarian aid to areas of northern Afghanistan previously controlled by the Taliban, the Associated Press and Interfax reported on November 29.

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