Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan talked over the phone with Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad of Qatar, the current presiding country of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, and some other foreign ministers Tuesday as previously arranged.

Ivanov introduced the Russian stance on the present anti- terrorism fight. He stressed that it is impossible for military action to solve all issues concerning anti-terrorism. More attention should be paid to the role of the United Nations in the regard of international politics and military strikes should have clear targets and avoid action spreading to other countries.

He said the international community should support the establishment of a coalition government with a wide-ranging basis in Afghanistan. Russia hopes to step up coordination and cooperation with China to jointly safeguard international security and stability.

Tang thanked Ivanov for outlining the Russian stance. He said that Russia is being severely harmed by the Chechenian terrorists as China is also harmed by separatist-minded Eastern Turkistan terrorists. China and Russia have the same stance and interest on the issue of anti-terrorism.

Tang said China is willing to work with Russia to continue mutual support and cooperation in line with the spirit of the strategic partnership of cooperation.

He also said that, as a neighboring country to Afghanistan, China has made unswerving efforts for many years to help peacefully solve the Afghan issue. China has always held that the formation of an Afghan coalition government which can be accepted by all parties and is able to co-operate with neighboring countries in a friendly manner would be beneficial to the Afghan people and conducive to regional peace and stability.

When talking with Hamad, Tang repeated China's anti-terrorism stance. He said that over the next two days an urgent meeting would be held in Qatar for foreign ministers of Arabian and Islamic countries. Tang noted that like China, Islamic countries are also victims of terrorism. China is willing to reinforce and broaden consultation and cooperation with Islamic countries in fighting terrorism.

He said that China is clearly opposed to associating terrorism with any religion, nationality or region. In striking terrorism, efforts should be made to eradicate its roots.

Hamad said that the Islamic world has strong friendly relationship with China, and has always attached importance to consultation and cooperation with China in international affairs.

The Islamic world is opposed to any terrorist activities and it is necessary to distinguish between terrorists and Islam, Hamad said.

He also expressed full agreement on the stance of the Chinese government on anti-terrorism, and held that the UN is the best mechanism for reinforcing anti-terrorism cooperation of the international community.

Tang also talked over the phone Tuesday with Indian FM Singh and Thai FM Surakiat.

(People’s Daily 10/09/2001)