RUSSIA-CHECHNYA: MERCENARIES FIGHTING WAR, SAYS CHERNOMYRDIN

NEW DELHI, Dic 23 (IPS) - MERCENARIES FROM PAKISTAN, AFGHANISTAN AZERBAIJAN AND WESTERN UKRAINE ARE STOKING THE CONFLICT IN CHECHNYA, VISITING RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN SAID HERE FRIDAY.

ADDRESSING A PRESS CONFERENCE IN THE INDIAN CAPITAL AFTER SIGNING A SERIES OF DEFENCE, TRADE, DIPLOMATIC AND SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION ACCORDS WITH HIS HOSTS, CHERNOMYRDIN SAID HE FELT THAT THE PEOPLE OF CHECHNYA DID NOT WANT A WAR.

BUT HIRED WARRIORS FROM PAKISTAN, AFGHANISTAN, AZERBAIJAN AND THE WESTERN UKRAINE WERE PRESENT IN THE STRIFE-TORN RUSSIAN FEDERATION REPUBLIC, HE SAID. RUSSIA WAS SEEKING A POLITICAL SOLUTION TO THE CRISIS, HE ADDED, DENYING THAT CIVILIANS WERE KILLED IN THE RUSSIAN MILITARY INTERVENTION IN CHECHNYA.

THE HIGHEST-RANKING RUSSIAN LEADER TO VISIT INDIA AFTER PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN IN JANUARY 1993, CHERNOMYRDIN ALSO DENIED THAT MOSCOW PLANNED TO SELL ARMS TO INDIA'S ARCH FOE PAKISTAN.

"WE HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING WITH THE INDIAN LEADERSHIP THAT OUR RELATIONS WITH PAKISTAN WILL BE TRANSPARENT AND OPEN. WE WILL NOT SUPPLY ARMS TO PAKISTAN AND HAVE NO INTENTION TO DO SO IN FUTURE," HE TOLD REPORTERS.

EARLIER IN THE DAY, MOSCOW AND NEW DELHI INITIALLED A MILITARY AND TECHNICAL COOPERATION ACCORD, CARRYING FORWARD THREE DECADES OF DEFENCE TIE UPS.

INDIA WAS ONE OF THE LEADING BUYERS OF SOVIET WEAPON SYSTEMS AND IS STILL SEEN AS A MAJOR MARKET BY RUSSIAN ARMS MAKERS. THIS YEAR, MANY OF THEM FINALISED JOINT VENTURES TO UPGRADE AND SERVICE ARMS EXPORTS.

EIGHT ACCORDS WERE FINALISED FRIDAY, INCLUDING A SPACE METEOROLOGY AND EXPLORATION PACT, AN AGREEMENT TO PROTECT MUTUAL INVESTMENTS AND UPDATING OF THE 1976 MERCHANT SHIPPING AGREEMENT.

ADVANCE DELEGATIONS OF THE RUSSIAN ARMS EXPORT MONOLITH, ROSVOORUZHENIE MET EARLIER THIS WEEK TO DISCUSS TRANSFER OF DEFENCE KNOW HOW.

INDIA IS STILL TO FINALISE A DEAL TO BUY 20 MIG-29 AIRCRAFT TO AUGMENT ITS PRESENT FLEET OF 60 MIG 29'S. MOSCOW AND NEW DELHI ARE ALSO SETTING UP FACILITIES TO OVERHAUL MIG 29'S IN THE INDIAN AIR FORCE AS WELL AS IN OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE REGION.

DURING THE VISIT OF INDIAN PREMIER P.V. NARASIMHA RAO TO MOSCOW IN JUNE, THE TWO NATIONS REACHED AN AGREEMENT TO HELP INDIA MANUFACTURE SPARES FOR RUSSIAN MILITARY AIRCRAFT OF ALL TYPES.

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