Political Leaders Reappraise Chechen Terror: Rushailo

Many political leaders and statesmen have changed stances on Chechen terrorists, Vladimir Rushailo, Russia's Security Council Secretary, approvingly said to a news conference when asked for comments on recent statements by Great Britain's Defence Secretary. Chechen developments are one of the instances of terrorists openly waging war. It is good to see many countries' political activists and statesmen shifting stances to stop reproaching Russia with alleged human rights abuse and the federal use of force carried too far--reproaches which formerly sounded quite often, said Mr. Rushailo. The Russian top highly approves Western countries' current eagerness for joint anti-terror action, he remarked. Russia had long before started informing the USA and other countries about mercenaries from all parts of the world fighting side-by-side with paramilitaries in Chechnya, added the Security Council Secretary. Direct links were established long ago between Hattab, of Jordanian extraction, and Osama bin Laden, the world's most notorious terrorist. More than that, all terrorists share financial sources worldwide, stressed Vladimir Rushailo as he strongly warned against double standards with terror masterminds and direct culprits regarded as terrorists in some countries and freedom fighters in others. Now, it appears, a majority of countries are growing to see that such double standards are inadmissible, he said.