The Hindu : International : Putin calls for CIS unity

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Monday, May 09, 2005

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International

Putin calls for CIS unity

Vladimir Radyuhin

Leaders gather in Moscow to mark Allies' victory in World War II

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on the 12-member Commonwealth of Independent States to forge their unity in the face of extremism and terrorism.

Addressing an informal summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) on Sunday Mr. Putin described the post-Soviet alliance as "a unique peaceful Commonwealth of civilisations" that is still relevant and must be protected from the "terrible threats" of extremism and terrorism.

"I am convinced the CIS is capable of becoming an effective instrument for such a joint fight," Mr. Putin said. He put an equation mark between Nazism, extremism and terrorism, saying they all "are feeding from the same ideological trough."

The CIS leaders, meeting on in Moscow on the fringes of V-Day celebrations signed on Sunday a declaration on humanitarian cooperation.

Mr. Putin said the declaration "will give a good impulse to expand and upgrade direct human-to-human contacts on the territory of CIS."

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