Home>>World
Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, November 21, 2001

Putin: Russia to Take Part in Rescue Operation in Afghanistan

Russia is prepared to take part, if needed, in possible operations to rescue U.S. aircrews in Tajikistan and Afghanistan, using its "special relations" with the Northern Alliance, Russian President Vladimir Putin told Russian media Tuesday.


PRINT IT DISCUSS IT CHINESE SEND TO FRIENDS


Russia is prepared to take part, if needed, in possible operations to rescue U.S. aircrews in Tajikistan and Afghanistan, using its "special relations" with the Northern Alliance, Russian President Vladimir Putin told Russian media Tuesday.

Asked to explain how his earlier remarks that Russian troops would not fight in Afghanistan could be reconciled with the country's willingness to contribute to rescue operations, Putin said that Russia could employ "other means" as well, but declined to speak of them.

Russia's 12,500 infantry soldiers of the 201st Division and 10, 000 border guards stationed in Tajikistan have made great contribution to the stability in the region, Putin told reporters, while inspecting the city of Novy Urengoy, a major base of Russian natural gas production in Western Siberia.




    Advanced

Urgent: Chechen Talks Begin in Moscow

Airliner Crashes in Northern Russia With 24 Reportedly Killed