Putin reiterates support to U.S. coalition

By Batuk Gathani

BRUSSELS, OCT. 3. The Russian President, Mr. Vladimir Putin, visited the NATO headquarters here today for talks with senior officials of the Western military alliance.

NATO had formally invoked its mutual defence clause under Article V on Tuesday, after the United States produced convincing evidence that Osama bin Laden's organisation was behind the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 in New York and the Pentagon.

NATO said on Tuesday it was convinced ``by clear and compelling evidence'' that the attacks were launched ``from abroad'' by Osama's Al-Qaeda movement.

Article V states that an armed attack on one or more of the allies in Europe or North America ``shall be considered an attack against them all'' and hence all 19 members of NATO will ``individually or collectively'' assist the parties attacked.

Moreover, this article could come into play only ``if'' the U.S. could prove the terrorist attack was directed from abroad.

Russia has given its backing for military action in Afghanistan and speaking last night at the start of his talks with NATO and the European Union, Mr. Putin said his country's participation in the proposed global coalition to fight terrorism could change Moscow's relations with the West ``profoundly''.

Mr. Putin said, ``Russia's special services do not need any additional proof to participate in the struggle against terrorist acts.''

``For us'', Mr. Putin said, ``It is already clear'' and referring to Osama, he said: ``The only thing we do not know is the exact role he played.'' The NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson, then pinpointed Osama as ``having been involved,'' adding, ``It is clear that all roads lead to Al-Queda and bin Laden.''

Mr. Putin's mission was also to win Western support for Russia's campaign against Muslim secessionist rebels in Chechnya. So far, the Russian leader has gone to great lengths to assist the Bush administration after the events of Sept. 11, and Mr. Putin has allowed the U.S. military to use Russian air space to reach friendly Central Asian countries which border Afghanistan.

Last night, Mr. Putin compared terrorism with ``bacteria - which adapts to the organism bearing it''. He accused terrorists of exploiting the concepts of democracy and freedom of speech to achieve their ends.

There is much speculation about the proposed mode of U.S. military operations and the diplomatic offensive that the Bush administration has launched in the Arab and Muslim world to create a global alliance to fight terrorism. Russia is seen as a part of this alliance.

European analysts are impressed with Mr. Putin's ``adroit'' diplomacy to add new dimensions to the proposed framework of cooperation between Moscow and Western powers in both military and political matters to contain challenges of global terrorism.

This is underlined in Mr Putin's current visit to the E.U. and NATO as he seeks to underpin a new relationship with the West which he himself described last night as the most ``crucial''.

Western officials also note that Mr Putin's Russia is gradually ``at ease'' with the concept of the proposed expansion of the European Union and NATO, which may border Russia perhaps by the end of this decade.

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Section  : International
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