Russia urges Afghan clampdown

By Susannah Price in Islamabad

A special envoy from the Russian President has told the Pakistani Government that hundreds of Islamic fighters from Chechnya and other countries in the region are being trained in northern Afghanistan.

The envoy, Sergei Yastrzhembsky, says he has provided concrete evidence about the camps to the Pakistani authorities and expects them to take action against them.

However, it is not clear what leverage Pakistan would have to persuade the Taleban authorities in Afghanistan to make any move.

The visit of Mr Yastrzhembsky to Pakistan appears to underline a positive change in relations between the two countries.

Mr Yastrzhembsky told journalists he was cautiously optimistic after two days of meetings with Pakistan's military ruler, General Musharraf, and other senior figures.

Fears of destabilisation

Mr Yastrzhembsky said Pakistan had the necessary potential and influence to play a stabilising role in central, south and west Asia.

But he added that Russia was particularly concerned about the latest fighting in Afghanistan, saying it could destabilise the whole region.

Chechen fighters 'trained in Afghanistan'

Russia says the Taleban authorities in Afghanistan are providing support for Islamic fighters from Chechnya and Central Asia.

Mr Yastrzhembsky said officials in Islamabad were ready to verify the facts and, if confirmed, take necessary action.

The envoy also announced that President Putin had accepted an invitation to come to Pakistan at a future date.

The envoy's visit follows a meeting between General Musharraf and President Putin on the sidelines of the United Nations Millennium Summit in New York and a visit to Moscow by the head of Pakistan's main intelligence agency.