The international anti-terror campaign and the prospect of US reprisal action in Afghanistan topped the agenda at a meeting of security chiefs of 12 former Soviet republics in the Tajikistan capital Dushanbe Monday, Tajik officials said.
Opening a two-day meeting, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) security and intelligence chiefs discussed cooperation with non-CIS services as a US-led international coalition mobilized against the presumed instigator of the September 11 attacks in New York and Washington, Osama bin Laden, Tajik security officials said.
Saudi dissident bin Laden is being sheltered by Afghanistan's ruling Taliban movement who have turned down a US demand that he be handed over to competent authorities.
Tajikistan shares a 1,200 kilometer border with Afghanistan and officials fear that US actions could lead to a massive influx of Afghan refugees, including Islamist infiltrators and others bringing weapons and drugs.
Discussions are being held behind closed doors but CIS officials will talk to the media on Tuesday, the Tajik security ministry said.
The meeting had been scheduled before the present crisis and is due to discuss other crime-related issues such as exchanges of data regarding drug trafficking, the illegal arms trade and money-laundering -- DUSHANBE (AFP)
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
