Russia talks tough with Pak, says get rid of terror camps

In a stern message, Russia today asked Pakistan to do away with terror camps on its soil, which were responsible for spreading a “horrible cancer” of international terrorism from the “Moscow Metro to Mumbai to London”.

“We do want Pakistan to solve its internal problems. We do not want any danger or threat emanating from Pakistan or neighbouring regions of Pakistan. We are against those 40 training camps... from where this horrible cancer of international terrorism is spreading on our earth,” Russian Ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin said.

“That is from where its tentacles reach Moscow metro, Mumbai, London metro and other terrorist acts which we have learned about in the last few years. This must be done away with. We hope Pakistan will do so,” he added.

He was asked about the terrorism in the region and if the issue would be discussed in next week’s visit of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

However, he refused to comment on ties between China and Pakistan and their civil nuclear cooperation, saying the issue of bilateral ties was a sovereign right of any country.

He also mentioned that there were “well-engineered” mechanisms, including bilateral and multi-lateral consultations, to deal with such issues.

He also said Russia wants India’s relation with Pakistan to improve, as it was in everyone’s interest and in the interest of the region.

“We have been supporting your dialogue. We showed full solidarity with India’s anger at the terrible terrorist acts in Mumbai,” he said.