President Putin Claims Support For Legitimate Afghan Government

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed support for the legitimate government of Afghanistan. Meeting President of the Islamic State of Afghanistan Burhanuddin Rabbani in Dushanbe Monday, the Russian President said Russia's standpoint had been determined long ago: Moscow supported the internationally acknowledged Afghan government fighting for the liberation of its people for a long time. Vladimir Putin thanked Burhanuddin Rabbani for his coming to Dushanbe. In his turn, the President of the Islamic State of Afghanistan thanked Vladimir Putin for his kind attitude to the Afghan people, adding he had long dreamed of meeting Vladimir Putin. The Russian delegation includes Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, Security Council Secretary Vladimir Rushailo, Head of the Federal Security Service Nikolai Patrushev, his deputy Viktor Komogorov, Emergencies Minister Sergei Shoigu, Deputy Head of the Kremlin administration Sergei Prikhodko. The Afghan delegation contains President of the Islamic State of Afghanistan Burhanuddin Rabbani, Security Minister Dr. Mohammad Fahim, Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, and Special Envoy of the Islamic State of Afghanistan to Russia Kamaludeen.