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AP. 7 January 2002. Group Led by Russia, China Says It Wants Afghanistan
Free of Foreign Influence.
BEIJING -- Asserting its right to a leading role in Central Asia, a
six-nation group led by China and Russia said Monday it wants
Afghanistan free of foreign influence.
A statement by a meeting of foreign ministers of the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization, a group set up in part to fight Islamic
militancy, welcomed the end of the Taliban government.
But it said outside attempts to influence Afghan affairs would lead to a
new crisis for the region.
"The situation in the region should be decided by the countries
themselves," said Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov of Russia. The other
members are Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Monday's statement didn't single out any foreign government.
China has supported the U.S.-led anti-terror campaign, but is uneasy
about the American military presence in the region. Beijing has called
for an early end to military action in Afghanistan.
Other members regard Pakistan as a rival for influence after the fall of
the Taliban, which it long supported.
Smaller members of the group have mixed sentiments about a U.S.
presence, some hoping it will offset domination by their huge neighbors.
Uzbekistan has allowed American troops on its territory, while
Kyrgyzstan agreed to let Washington use one of its airfields.
The statement Monday called for a "peaceful, neutral" Afghanistan and
warned against "any kind of administration forced on Afghanistan, or a
scheme to influence it."
Such efforts, it said, would lead to a "new crisis for Afghanistan and
the surrounding region."
The Shanghai Cooperation Group was formed in 1996 to fight terrorism,
separatism and extremism.
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