27 December 2002 00:00
ALEXANDER YAKOVENKO, THE OFFICIAL SPOKESMAN OF RUSSIA'S MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, ANSWERS A QUESTION FROM ITAR-TASS NEWS AGENCY ABOUT THE ARREST OF A GROUP OF TERRORISTS IN FRANCE
2683-27-12-2002
Question: How could you comment on the reports appearing in France about the arrest by special services of the country of a number of persons suspected of involvement in terrorist activities, including against Russia?
Answer: According to the information we have at hand, those arrested represent an organized and well-equipped group of persons, at least a part of whom underwent training in Afghanistan and in places of basing of illegal armed bands in Georgia's Pankisi Gorge. The group's plans included preparation of terrorist acts both in Chechnya and against Russian agencies abroad, in particular, in France.
On this case we are maintaining close bilateral contacts with French authorities and law enforcement bodies.
The operation carried out by French special services is one more direct proof of the links of bandits operating in Chechnya and from the territory of Georgia to international terrorism - something that has been repeatedly pointed out by the Russian side - and confirms the necessity of further strengthening the agreed cooperation of the participants of the antiterrorist coalition.
It is also obvious that terrorists are increasingly choosing European states' territories for the preparation of their criminal actions. Developing cooperation within the framework of an Internal Security Council consisting of Russia and the European Union countries, with an initiative for whose creation France came up in the outgoing year, is becoming particularly relevant in this context.
December 27, 2002
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