Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday dismissed a link between Islam and terrorism, saying terror had no national or religious identity. Putin made the remarks in an interview carried by the Kremlin website, adding that terrorism existed everywhere and that ideology of hatred should be combated.
On Iran, he cautioned against any military attack on this country as a serious mistake. He added that the recent US intelligence report on the Iranian nuclear dossier showed an objective image of the issue, echoing Russia's position on Iranian nuclear capabilities, which was based on objecting findings.
Putin urged the US anew to set a timetable for troop pullout of Iraq, but he agreed with US President George W. Bush's vision that Iraqi forces should be prepared first to take security charge in Iraq. A timetable for US troop withdrawal could spur Iraqi leaders to act to speed up the setting-up of military and security institutions, he said.
Putin commended the Annapolis meeting on the Middle East peace process as a positive step towards a settlement to one of the thorniest regional crises.
He finally reiterated his country's willingness to play more active role to find a solution to the regional conflict. |