Russia, US Officials Discuss Security Cooperation

Russian Security Council Secretary Vladimir Rushailo called US National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice on Friday to discuss international issues and bilateral relations, the council's press service said.

The service said the two officials put special focus on the anti-terrorism fight and other related crimes.

Rushailo briefed Rice on his recent trips to Georgia and China.The joint efforts of Russia, the US and Georgia in Georgia's Pankisi gorge aimed against not only Chechen gunmen but also terrorists from other countries directly connected with Al-Qaeda, he said.

Rushailo stressed that the cooperation within Russia, the US and China fully meets the interests of strengthening global and regional stability, and plays a special role in resolving the conflicts in the Middle East and that between India and Pakistan.

The two sides also praised the development of bilateral relations, saying it had been raised to a new level through, firstof all, joint efforts taken by Presidents Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart George W. Bush, said the press service.

(Xinhua News Agency July 27, 2002)