Shanghai Six condemn US attacks, agree on economic cooperation
( 2001-09-14 18:18 ) (7 )

Members of a regional security organization incorporating Russia, China and Central Asia adopted a statement on Friday denouncing the US terror attacks.

``All of us share the view that these were unpardonable crimes,'' Kazak Prime Minister Kasymzhomart Tokayev said at a meeting of the Shanghai Six, which also includes the formerly Soviet Central Asian republics of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

``We are prepared for close coordination with all states and international organizations to take effective measures in the uncompromising struggle to uproot the global danger coming from terrorism,'' the group said in its statement.

Tokayev said it was too early to speculate on the impact of any retaliatory attacks on the member-states of the Shanghai Six.

The United States has said the main suspect in the attacks is Osama bin Laden, raising the possibility of a military strike in Afghanistan, where he is based. Of the Shanghai Six, both Tajikistan and Uzbekistan share borders with Afghanistan.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization was set up in 1996 to coordinate security and ease tensions in Central Asia. Uzbekistan joined in June.

The members also signed an agreement on Friday to increase cooperation in economic policy, foreign trade and investment.

``From today on ... the Shanghai organization will concentrate on another essential element cementing our mutual ties: economic cooperation,'' Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov told a news conference.

He said the first projects would focus on the fuel and energy industry, transport, telecommunications and trade. Still, Kasyanov underscored that security was the group's main focus.

Chinese Premier also welcomed the expansion of the group's charter.

``Our mutual cooperation in the field of economics is very promising,'' Zhu Rongji said, citing in particular the potential for cooperation in the oil and gas sector, creation of transport infrastructure and establishment of favorable conditions for the flow of goods, services and capital.

All heads of state from the Shanghai Six are to sign a charter for the organization in July 2002 in St. Petersburg, Russia, Kasyanov said.