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U.S., Russia Group Fights Terror
Saturday, July 27, 2002
By William C. Mann
Associated Press Writer

"The delegations discussed a range of key regional issues, including recent developments in Afghanistan, Central Asia, India/Pakistan, Southeast Asia and Yemen. They underscored the need to cut off sources of terrorist financing."

WASHINGTON -- AP
A U.S.-Russian group formed to deal with terrorism and similar problems spreading from Afghanistan to the former Soviet republics has begun its new and expanded job of working on such threats anywhere.

Specialists from the two countries said terrorists remain an immediate threat not only in Afghanistan and nearby but as far afield as Southeast Asia and East Africa.

A focus, however, was still the former republics in Central Asia that have opened their bases to American military units to facilitate the Afghan war.

"The U.S. side reiterated that the United States has no intention of establishing permanent military bases in Central Asia but does plan long-term security relationships with the countries in the region," the State Department said in a statement Saturday.
(More: The Macon Telegraph News Source)
2002 © The Associated Press.

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