Society For Solidarity With Asia, Africa Accuses Turkey Of Encouraging International Terrorism

Turkish authorities recur to double standards in their treatment of Chechen separatists, who are openly attacking Russia and its nationals in Turkey. The stance boils down to encouragement of international terrorism, warns the council of the Society for Solidarity and Cooperation with Asian and African Nations. Its statement reports Russian public alarm with recent anti-Russian manifestations in Turkey. The society was moved to issue the document with the Suissehotel hostage-taking outrage. That and many other facts show Istanbul withstanding from practical action against anti-Russian activities of Turkish-based Chechen paramilitaries. The society accuses Turkey of sheltering Chechen and other terrorists engaged in warfare against federal forces in Chechnya. Extremists have medical treatment and rest-cure in Turkey, whose tolerance enhances instability in the North Caucasus and the entire Russia, says the statement. The Turkish government is turning a blind eye to anti-Russian attacks by Chechen extremists in Turkey to alarm the Russian public. This tolerance encouraged the Chechen banditry to hijack the Avrasia ship and a Russian airliner forced into Saudi Arabia, and now to take Suissehotel hostages. The statement calls Turkish officials to act tough on Chechen extremists and so save Russo-Turkish relations from deterioration.