Putin briefs leaders on terrorism fight plans
President Vladimir Putin today met leaders of Russia’s parliament to discuss the country’s stance on fighting terrorism following the devastating attacks in the United States.
‘‘I decided I should not make the final decision before meeting you and consulting you on this issue, which is very important for Russia’s place in the world now and in the future,’’ Putin told about two dozen party leaders.
Last week, the Duma passed a resolution urging strong international action against terror but saying any military operation should proceed cautiously.
Putin has remained non-committal in public about Russia’s strategy on possible US strikes on Afghanistan.
Russia’s position is crucial, especially if an operation is staged from former Soviet states in Central Asia, which Russia considers its sphere of influence.
The Russian President, a deliberate leader and consensus-builder, held a marathon meeting with his top security, defence and intelligence chiefs and spoke by telephone to President Bush on Saturday.
Putin then spoke with the Presidents of all five Central Asian nations.
He said today that after the conversations, ‘‘We have mutual understanding on those issues, complete mutual understanding.’’
The Kremlin press office said it could not confirm reports that Putin had promised military assistance to Bush in their phone conversation.
And Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev denied that Putin had sharply changed his position on the participation of Central Asian states in a US led anti-terrorist coalition.
Putin has said Russia is ready for wide co-operation with the United States but has indicated Russia would not offer troops for any US military action and would not welcome any unilateral decisions by the United States.
Russia and the Central Asian states fear a refugee flood or spillover violence from US strikes on Afghanistan could further rock the restive region and drain its scarce finances.
