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Titolo: Who? (da http://www.aeronautics.ru/news/news001/news046.htm)

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Ciao
Sergio
Who?
Breaking news:
Sources close to Israeli military intelligence post information to the
Russian Military-Historical Forum (
www.vif2.ru
) regarding a possible
landing of the elements of the U.S. 82nd and 101st airborne divisions in
Pakistan. It is reported that the U.S. troops plan to encircle the
Arhandab valley - a suspected hiding place of Osama bin Laden - by
launching two simultaneous assaults from the north on Jelalabad with a
later turn to the south and from the south on Kandagar, with a
subsequent turn north.
According to sources in the Russian Federal Security Service, Chechen
rebels and affiliated terrorist organizations from Afghanistan and Saudi
Arabia are behind the terrorist acts in New York and Washington. One of
the organizations is called Jmaat Al Islamia with such members as
Khattab and Basayev - two of Chechnya's leading rebel leaders closely
associated with Osama bin Laden.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On October 18, 1999, Russian media discussed information released by
Russian intelligence and national security agencies regarding Taliban's
involvement in the Chechen conflict:
"Russian military intelligence reports that Khattab - one of the top
leaders of Chechen extremists - is in close contact with Osama Bin
Laden, who attempts to assist Chechen terrorists with money and weapons.
There were attempts by Taliban movement in Afghanistan and by Bin Laden
in particular to use Islamic humanitarian organizations to supply
Chechen extremists with money and food. According to first deputy of the
Russian police economic crimes investigation department Maj. Gen. Kuzma
Shalenkov, Russian police is utilizing Interpol to monitor and
counteract illegal efforts by foreign Islamic extremists to assist
Chechen rebels. Russian intelligence sources report that leaders of
Islamic religious extremists are planning to assemble in Kuwait to
discuss their options for helping Chechen separatists. Russia is
expected to pressure Kuwait and the U.S. to disrupt any such meetings.
There is unconfirmed information that the four ballistic missiles
launched by Russia at undisclosed targets several days ago, were not
aimed at Chechnya but at Taliban terrorist training camps in
Afghanistan. Persistent rumors circulate that Russia may be considering
using tactical nuclear weapons against Taliban forces in Afghanistan."
[Chechen War Chronicles, Review of Russian Media Reports, Oct. 18-19,
1999]
By the end of October of 1999, U.S. press was also discussing the
possible role played by Bin Laden in Chechnya:
"According to the New York Post, American antiterrorism experts believe
that Osama bin Laden may relocate to southern Chechnya, if he's forced
to leave Afghanistan. Another possible points of destination for Osama
bin Laden may be Iraq, Somalia, or Uzbekistan. However many American and
Russian experts remain skeptical: it is entirely possible that
Afghanistan may be simply trying to play politics and to remove the
political pressure and economic sanctions. It is more likely that Osama
bin Laden will remain in Afghanistan, while spreading the rumor that he
escaped to Chechnya or other possible locations. Russian intelligence
services point out close connections between Osama bin Laden and the
leaders of Chechen terrorists -- Basayev and Khattab. Recently envoys of
these two terrorists traveled to Afghanistan to meet Osama bin Laden."
[Chechen War Chronicles, Review of Russian Media Reports, Oct. 31, 1999]
On November 1, 1999, Russian Defense Ministry released additional
information regarding Taleban's involvement in Chechnya and the role
played by Bin Laden and some Islamic "humanitarian" organizations,
including those operating in the U.S.:
"Russian Defense Ministry reported that the Taleban movement in
Afghanistan announced about its decision to send 24 portable "Stinger"
surface-to-air missile systems and 4 million US dollars to Chechnya. Two
battalions of extremists from Afghanistan, up to 300 people each, are
preparing to be transferred to Chechnya. They two battalions are
commanded by D. Khakkani and A Vakhid (AKA Khadzhi Rhais Vazrani). The
extremists from Afghanistan are planning to enter Chechnya through Iran
and Azerbaijan. According to the Russian intelligence sources about 50
terrorists to be deployed in Chechnya are currently training in Saudi
Arabia and another 70 -- at the "Baar-2" training camp in Afghanistan.
Chechen extremists maintain close relations with Osama bin Laden and
Chechen communities outside the province, including those in the United
States (Patterson, NJ)." [Chechen War Chronicles, Review of Russian
Media Reports, Nov. 1, 1999]
These disturbing reports go without official comments by the U.S.
government or national security agencies. However, the name of Bin Laden
surfaces once again in the Russian press just a few days later, when
Russian Air Force launches more than 110 airstrikes in a single day
against Chechen rebels, destroying 20 rebel combat vehicles, a bridge
and over 120 rebel fighters, including foreign mercenaries, in southern
Chechnya. Administration of the Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov
officially issues an invitation for Osama bin Laden to come to Chechnya,
if he is forced to leave Afghanistan as a result of U.S. pressure on
Taliban:
"A source in the Interior Ministry of Dagestan says that two scientists
from Poland kidnapped by Chechen terrorists on the territory of Dagestan
on August 9 are currently being held in the town of Urus-Martan 20 km
from Grozny. This region of Chechnya is being controlled by Chechen
religious extremist Arbi Barayev, who last year ordered decapitation of
three British citizens and one New Zealander kidnapped by Chechen
terrorists. Official representative of the Chechen President, Zelikhman
Yandarbiyev announced today that Chechnya would welcome Saudi-born
terrorist Osama bin Laden, if the latter decides to leave Afghanistan.
Taleban movement of religious extremists in Afghanistan, currently
hiding Osama bin Laden, has until November 14 to surrender bin Laden to
international justice system, otherwise U.N. embargo will be enforced
and Taleban's financial assets in foreign banks will be frozen. United
States officials said that even if Osama bin Laden escapes to Chechnya
this will not lift the responsibility and economic sanctions from
Taleban." [Chechen War Chronicles, Review of Russian Media Reports, Nov.
5, 1999]
Osama Bin Laden immediately responds to the invitation, and just two
days later offers considerable military aid to the Chechen rebels:
"Russian military intelligence reports that Osama bin Laden agreed to
provide Chechnya with ammunition, medical supplies and 50 portable
surface-to-air missile systems "Stinger". The 50 SAM systems are to be
delivered to Chechnya through Georgia or Azerbaijan by December 10."
[Chechen War Chronicles, Review of Russian Media Reports, Nov. 7, 1999]
Two days after this report, Russian military intelligence reveals
details of the suspected military aid from Bin Laden to the rebels in
Chechnya:
"Russian military intelligence reports that 50 "Stinger" portable
missile systems promised to Chechen rebels by Osama bin Laden are
scheduled to be delivered to Chechnya no later than November 25 for the
territories of Georgia and Azerbaijan. Agents of the International
Islamic Front in Great Britain are recruiting and training terrorists to
be sent to Chechnya." [Chechen War Chronicles, Review of Russian Media
Reports, Nov. 9, 1999]
Both the U.S. and the U.K. governments choose to ignore these reports
and continue criticizing Russia's military involvement in Chechnya.
However, U.S. intelligence sources confirm that Bin Laden is involved in
the Chechen war. At the OSCE summit in Istanbul, Turkey, Russian
President Boris Yeltsin calls on the nations of the world to join forces
to respond to the treats of international terrorism coming from radical
Islamic groups. Yeltsin is  heavily criticized for the Russian
anti-terrorist operations in Chechnya and has no choice but to leave the
summit. Russian President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister urge the
West to respond to international terrorism and support Russia's fight
against terrorists in Chechnya.
Russian President Boris Yeltsin at the 1999 OSCE summit in Istanbul,
Turkey:
"Russia is firmly intent on businesslike co-operation in the context of
this summit. I am convinced that both for Russia and for other members
of the OSCE what is especially necessary is dialogue based on respect
and not mutual recriminations and moralizing.
We all have an equal interest in stability and security throughout
Europe. The years the OSCE has existed, and particularly this year, have
given rise to great expectations and at the same time to powerful
disappointments.
Global challenges
Europe has found itself confronted with fresh challenges - challenges of
a global character, the nature of which is directly connected with
changes in the international climate and the difficulties of seeking new
models for co-operation.
Such dangers as breach of strategic stability, transnational crime and
the spread of nuclear weapons are at this time topical for all European
states.
Finally, we have all felt what evil of international terrorism brings.
These challenges can be successfully met only by acting together.
We, Russia, are prepared to work with others. I am convinced that
stability and security in Europe cannot be considered without taking
Russia into account.
No right to criticize Russia
You have no right to criticize Russia over Chechnya. A total of 1,580
people, the civilian population, suffered as a result of the bloody wave
of terrorist acts that swept over Moscow and other towns and villages of
our country.
The pain of this tragedy was felt by thousands of families in all
corners of Russia. In the past three years, terrorists kidnapped 935
hostages - not just Russians, but Britons, Americans, Frenchmen.
Some 200 captives are still being held by bandits, and they are being
subjected to terrible torture - one simply cannot remain indifferent.
A sense of proportion and humanitarian action are not issues for
terrorists. Their aim is that of killing and destroying.
We are grateful to those who at difficult times showed solidarity with
us, with what the people of Russia are going through, and still are
doing so.
Cancer of terrorism
At the same time, we do not accept the prescriptions of the so-called
objective critics of Russia, those who have failed to understand that we
are quite simply obliged to put a stop in good time to the spread of the
cancerous tumour of terrorism, to stop it spreading far beyond the North
Caucasus and even outside the Russian Federation.
Thousands of mercenaries, who have trained in camps on the territory of
Chechnya as well as come in from abroad, are actually preparing to
impose extremist ideas on the whole world. We are well aware from which
countries and through which countries the terrorists are receiving
support. In the immediate future I shall be calling upon the leaders of
these states to put a stop to this kind of activity.
International terrorism is throwing down a challenge, and not just to
Russia.
It was not born in Russia and the terrorists' ultimate target is not at
all the Caucasus.
No talks with bandits
I would like to stress here that a lasting peace in the Chechen republic
and so-called peace talks with the bandits are not the same thing, and I
would ask everyone to make no mistake about that.
There will be no talks with bandits and murderers.
We want peace and a political solution to the situation in Chechnya.
To achieve this, there has to be complete elimination of the gangs,
eradication of the terrorists or their prosecution.
Not all the ideas which have come up during discussion of the future of
Europe seem well-founded to us.
I refer to calls for humanitarian intervention in the affairs of another
state - a new idea, this - even when they are made under the pretext of
defending human rights and freedoms.
Nato aggression
We all already know to what disproportionate consequences this kind of
intervention can lead - suffice to recall USA-led Nato aggression
against Yugoslavia.
Now, on the threshold of a new era, it has become topical as never
before that the principal commandment of our joint actions in Europe
should be: "Do no harm!"
When signing today - and I stress the word today, because the Russian
delegation is flying back later today - the European Security Charter,
we regard it as a kind of code of honest and fair relations throughout
OSCE, not just a code of rights, but also a code of mutual
responsibility.
We see it as a guarantee of safe and happy life in our continent. We see
it as our joint contribution to the formation of a multipolar world in
the 21st Century. Russia is willing to share this responsibility with
all the nations of Europe."
(Source: Russian Public TV, Moscow, in Russian 18 Nov 99, BBC Monitoring
translation)
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin writes an article which is
published by the NY Times:
Why We Must Act
By VLADIMIR PUTIN, Russian Prime Minister
"When President Clinton and I met in Oslo earlier this month, we
discussed the situation in Chechnya.
Accounts of that conversation in the American media, understandably,
emphasized the president's warnings about the impact of Russia's
military operations. Because we value our relations with the United
States and care about Americans' perception of us, I want to explain our
actions in" clear terms.
To do so, I ask you to put aside for a moment the dramatic news reports
from the Caucasus and imagine something more placid: ordinary New
Yorkers or Washingtonians, asleep in their homes. Then, in a flash,
hundreds perish in explosions at the Watergate, or at an apartment
complex on Manhattan's West Side. Thousands are injured, some horribly
disfigured. Panic engulfs a neighborhood, then a nation.
Russians do not have to imagine such a calamity. More than 300 of our
citizens in Moscow and elsewhere suffered that fate earlier this year
when bombs detonated by terrorists demolished five apartment blocks.
Consider another unthinkable scenario. A long simmering dispute between
one of your states and your federal government causes political unrest
in that state. Armed militias arise, similar to those found in your
states of Montana and Idaho. Eventually, they are assisted by foreign
adventurers with their own agenda who use that troubled region as a base
to launch violent raids against a neighboring state. Lives and property
are destroyed - as a means of expanding the chaos.
Russians do not need to view the latest James Bond movie to see that
macabre story unfold. Rather, we saw it in all-too-real life as
guerrillas based in Chechnya mounted bloody raids on neighboring
Dagestan. They forcibly occupied several communities, terrorizing the
inhabitants. The stated goal was to establish an "Islamic republic," an
idea thoroughly alien to the vast majority of local citizens.
To Americans, these scenarios must seem rather far-fetched. The notion
of aimed guerrillas roaming through the countryside, intimidating
citizens, is something to be found in bad movies or second-rate novels.
Yet in the southern comer of my country, they are as real as the freshly
turned cemetery plots that have chronicled the violence over the last
several years.
No government can stand idly by when terrorism strikes. It is the solemn
duty of all governments to protect their citizens from danger. Americans
obviously understand this concept. When two United States embassies in
Africa were blown up, American warplanes were soon dispatched to bomb
suspected terrorist facilities in Sudan and Afghanistan. Americans also
have had first-hand experience with religious fanaticism financed from
overseas sources. The World Trade Center bombing in New York City was
the sad result of such extremism.
Terrorism today knows no boundaries. Its purveyors collaborate with each
other over vast distances- We know that a great deal of the violence
emanating from Chechnya is financed from abroad.
The same terrorists who were associated with the bombing of America's
embassies have a foothold in the Caucasus. We know that Shamil Basayev,
the so-called Chechen warlord, gets assistance on the ground from an
itinerant guerrilla leader with a dossier similar to that of Osama bin
Laden. And one of your television networks recently reported that -
according to United States intelligence sources - bin Laden himself is
helping to finance the guerrillas.
We also know that most Chechens "- whatever their feelings about Russia
- are neither fanatics nor willing hosts to the extremists who seek to
transform Chechnya into a killing field. No rational people desire their
territory to become a permanent playground for murderers and kidnappers,
even if the perpetrators cloak their cause in religion.
Reluctantly, we have intervened. Our immediate aim is to rid Chechnya of
those who threaten the safety of Chechens and Russians. We also seek to
restore civil society to the Chechen people, who have been victims of
deprivation, living in the grip of armed criminal gangs for years.
American officials tell us that ordinary citizens are suffering, that
our military tactics may increase that suffering. The very opposite is
true. Our commanders have clear instructions to avoid casualties among
the general population. We have nothing to gain by doing otherwise. The
Chechen citizens, after all, are our citizens too. Our land and air
forces strive to target only opposing armed forces. The whole reason we
chose accurately targeted strikes on specifically identified terrorist
bases was to avoid direct attacks on Chechen communities.
Exactly the same tactics were deployed during Operation Desert Storm, in
the bombing of the former Yugoslavia and in the various Unites States
attempts to strike back at the world's most wanted terrorist - Osama bin
Laden. Yet in the midst of war, even the most carefully planned military
operations occasionally cause civilian casualties, and we deeply regret
that.
Refugees fleeing the violence - many of whom feared that the terrorists
would try to use them as "human shields" - have experienced hardship.
However, confusion at border checkpoints that resulted primarily from
the inexperience of local officials in dealing with difficulties of this
nature has been, resolved. People can now move in both directions.
Refugees still in the neighboring republic of Ingushetia are getting
shelter, food and medical care. Many are returning home to areas firmly
controlled by the Russian government. Our great task now is to rebuild
infrastructure and social institutions that were degraded during several
years of turmoil. We must reopen schools and hospitals. For years,
federal payments intended for workers and pensioners have been diverted
illegally. We will make sure that these funds go to the proper
recipients. In brief, we are striving to replace strife and chaos with
peace and normal life.
The antiterrorist campaign was forced upon us. Sadly, decisive armed
intervention was the only way to prevent further casualties both within
and far outside the borders of Chechnya, further suffering by so many
people enslaved by terrorists. As the United States media frequently
point out, we have other pressing challenges that demand our resources.
But when a society's core interests are besieged by violent elements,
responsible leaders must respond, That is our purpose in Chechnya, and
we are determined to see it through. The understanding of our friends
abroad would be helpful."
(source: NY Times, 11-14-99)
Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov responds bitterly to criticism of
Russia's military involvement in Chechnya. His article is published by
the Financial Times:
Igor Ivanov: West's hypocrisy over Chechnya
Criticism of Russia threatens the success of this week's European
security summit in Istanbul, warns Igor Ivanov, Russia's Foreign
Minister
"This century's last summit of the Organisation for Security and
Co-operation in Europe is to open in Istanbul on Thursday. The nations
of the continent expect a lot from it. The outcome of this meeting will
be important in determining the nature of further developments in the
area of security: whether there is going to be a meaningful step towards
creating a common European security architecture or a throwback to
confrontation and military stand-off.
Throughout the preparations leading up to the Istanbul summit, Russia
has consistently sought to develop common principles that would allow
Europe to leave behind, finally, the abyss of the cold war and to build,
in co-operation, a stable and prosperous region in the 21st century.
Together with our partners, we have managed to achieve a great deal. We
have come to Istanbul with a number of important draft documents - first
and foremost, the European Security Charter and the adapted Treaty on
Conventional Forces in Europe.
I hardly need to explain how important it is for all OSCE member states
to adopt these documents, which could become the bedrock of a common
European security.
Recently, however, Nato member states have started to inflame
artificially the atmosphere surrounding the Istanbul meeting. The formal
pretext for this is the Chechen conflict, which everyone admits to be
Russia's internal affair. Relying on rumours spread in the western media
by the sponsors of Chechen terrorists, an anti-Russian campaign is being
widely promoted in some Nato countries in the best traditions of the
recent past. Especially loud in this choir are those who advocated the
barbarian bombardments of cities and villages in the sovereign
Yugoslavia.
In their rush to criticise Russia, some countries have gone as far as to
claim that, in Istanbul, Russia will be called to account for its
actions in Chechnya. But the conveniently forgotten fact remains that
the Russian leadership is fighting international terrorism in Chechnya -
and all states have undertaken to support each other in eradicating this
evil. Some people seem to have forgotten that flirting with terrorists
is like playing with fire: the flames can quickly spread to your house,
too.
Under such circumstances, a legitimate question inevitably arises: is
everybody truly committed to the success of the Istanbul summit? In the
light of the campaign launched in the Nato states, people in Moscow are
starting to doubt whether Nato is really prepared to comply with the
documents that are to be signed in Istanbul.
I have to admit that the Russian public has good reason for these sorts
of apprehensions. In our country everyone remembers that last spring
Nato openly violated the UN Charter by unleashing aggression against
Yugoslavia. The OSCE fundamental principles and norms were defied.
Suffice to recall here that such principles of the Helsinki Final Act
include the non-use or threat of force, inviolability of frontiers,
territorial integrity of states, non-interference with internal affairs.
By its actions, Nato openly challenged the 1949 Geneva Conventions, the
code of conduct relating to the politico-military aspects of security.
The question often raised in Moscow is whether Kosovo and Chechnya are
links in a chain of steps towards the creation of a one-dimensional,
Nato-centred world. Is Chechnya being used as a smoke-screen for
preparing Nato to assume the role of a world policeman, for undermining
the fundamental components of strategic stability and reversing the
disarmament processes? Has the anti-Russian campaign over Chechnya been
launched to force Russia out of the Caucasus, and then out of central
Asia? And these are by no means the only concerns that have arisen in
Russian public opinion with respect to the actions - or, sometimes, the
lack of actions - of our western partners.
All these questions need to be answered before we take serious,
epoch-making decisions on Europe in Istanbul. If some of our partners
are not prepared to take into account Russia's opinion on those problems
that are of vital importance to us, then perhaps it would be better to
take one's time and wait, as we say in Russia, for better times. The
author is foreign minister of Russia"
(source: Financial Times, 11-16-99)
Russia's pleas for help and understanding are ignored by the West, which
maintains it's harsh criticism of the anti-terrorist operation in
Chechnya, with the most vocal critics being the U.S. and the U.K.
Meanwhile, Russia intensifies aerial strikes against Chechen rebels and
introduces three of its latest attack helicopters - the Kamov Ka-50
"Black Shark" - to Chechnya. Bin Laden maintains an active role in the
Chechen crisis:
"Russian military intelligence estimates that a group of at least 650
mercenaries, hired by Osama bin Laden and currently being trained in
Yemen, may be ready to be deployed to Chechnya in a few weeks. These
mercenaries will form a "Unit - 005" regiment. Another group of
mercenaries is currently being prepared by the Jordanian "Islamic
liberation party" and will bear the designation of "Salvation Group."
[Chechen War Chronicles, Review of Russian Media Reports, Nov. 23, 1999]
American press and intelligence sources show more interest in the events
in Chechnya and a possible connection to Osama bin Laden:
"According to The Times, America's CIA believes that Osama bin Laden is
directly linked to the war in Chechnya. CIA also believed that bin Laden
is responsible for at least some of the five bombings of residential
buildings in Moscow. The Times mentions that the chemical composition of
the explosives found by Russian investigators on the site of Moscow
bombings is identical to the type of explosives used terrorists at bin
Laden's training camps. CIA has evidence of direct cooperation between
Osama bin Laden and Chechen separatists." [Chechen War Chronicles,
Review of Russian Media Reports, Nov. 29, 1999]
Meanwhile, Bin Laden establishes close contacts with the Chechen rebel
commanders and the administration of President Maskhadov. Meetings are
carried out in the capital of the Republic of Georgia with the knowledge
of the Georgian government and security agencies:
"Today Movladi Udugov, an envoy of Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov,
"secretly" met with emissaries of Osama bin Laden in Tbilisi, Georgia.
The main topic of their discussion was financial support for Maskhadov's
government in exile (or, rather, when it will be in exile). Georgian
authorities denied that the meeting took place, but it is a fact that
Georgia's entire security structure has more Russian spies than regular
staff. Georgia's protests and denials made little impression on the
Russian government." [Chechen War Chronicles, Review of Russian Media
Reports, Dec. 15, 1999]
Reports surface in the Russian media, indicating that the Chechen
rebels, assisted by the organization of Osama bin Laden, are preparing
chemical weapons for the defense of Chechnya's capital of Grozny against
an inevitable Russian attack:
"Just two days ago Russian troops discovered several artillery shells in
Chechnya hidden by the rebels not far from Khankala railroad station
near Grozny. The shells contained chlorine and, according to Russian
military experts, were fully functional. Now, one thing is to fill a
railroad tank with chlorine and wire it with some explosives. All it
takes is some basic equipment that can be found at any factory. A
totally different matter is to produce an artillery shell filled with
chemical agents. This requires some serious equipment and expertise.
About two weeks ago Russian news agencies reported that Osama bin Laden
offered to provide Chechen rebels with means to manufacture chemical
weapons. The discovered chemical artillery shells may be connected to
Osama bin Laden. In any case, until very recently Grozny did have a
sufficient industrial basis to manufacture chemical weapons on a limited
scale." [Chechen War Chronicles, Review of Russian Media Reports, Dec.
24, 1999]
U.S. government remains unimpressed by this information and continues to
cultivate close ties with the Chechen rebel leaders despite Russia's
objections:
"As some of you may already know, the U.S. Department of State officials
are currently meeting with Ilyas Akhmadov, the "foreign minister" of
Chechnya, despite of Russia's objections. This action by U.S. government
officials, who decided to establish direct relations with the Chechen
envoy, amounts to establishing diplomatic relations with Chechnya as an
independent state. James Rubin, the spokesman for the U.S. Department of
State, attempted to play down the situation, saying that Akhmadov visits
the United States as a private citizen. This, however, does not change
the fact that on Thursday night Ilyas Akhmadov met with representatives
of five divisions of the U.S. Department of State. Russian Foreign
Minister Igor Ivanov accused the United States of supporting terrorism.
Igor Ivanov also reminded the U.S. that the Chechen government, which
Ilyas Akhmadov represents, is directly linked with Osama bin Laden."
[Chechen War Chronicles, Review of Russian Media Reports, Jan. 14, 1999]
Two years later Russian troops overcome Chechen rebel despite of some
residual fighting in the isolated areas of the province. On Tuesday,
September 11, 2001, Islamic extremists crash four U.S. civilian airlines
into the buildings of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Thousands
of people are presumed to have been killed in these terrorist attacks.
U.S. government believes Osama Bin Laden and the Taleban regime in
Afghanistan are behind the attacks and prepares a military response,
which may possibly involve U.S. ground forces. U.S. calls for worldwide
cooperation in a fight against international terrorism.
President Bush consults with the Russian President and discusses
possible cooperation between Russia and the U.S. Reports surface in the
U.S. media indicating that the U.S. government might have requested
access to former Soviet Air Force bases in the CIS. Russia officially
declines the request, but offers intelligence information on the Taleban
and terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan. The U.S. increases
pressure on Pakistan to allow overflight of the country by U.S. military
aircraft and a possible access to Pakistan for U.S. ground forces. A
thinly veiled threat of a possible use of military force against
Pakistan forces Pakistani leadership to agree to all American demands,
requesting, however, that any foreign military presence on the ground in
Pakistan will be of international nature.
American diplomats continue active consultations with Russia, China,
France and other members of the UN Security Council, indicating that the
U.S. may be considering pushing for a joint resolution in the UN,
authorizing the use of force against Taleban. Both Russia and France
appear cautious and make indications that they may not approve of
possible US actions against Afghanistan. International political expert
believe, however, that neither Russia not France will openly oppose the
US at this time.
``We talked a lot about the threat of terrorism, but apparently we
didn't find the words that would have persuaded the world community to
create an effective defense against international terrorism,'' said
Vladimir Putin during his recent visit to Armenia.

 Sergio
[MEGA CUT]
Sergio, *non credi* che qualche volta sarebbe
meglio postare *solo* il link invece che l'intero
articolo, per un totale di 32k ?!?
Penso che chiunque utilizzi il NG abbia a disposizione
un browser per visualizzare autonomamente l'articolo
da te suggerito con un semplice link.
Cordialmente
Nemo