US-Russian officials meet on anti-terror campaign, defense
( 2001-09-30 10:49 ) (7 )

US Under Secretary of State for arms control and international security John Bolton met on Saturday with Russian officials to discuss Washington's anti-terror campaign and other strategic defense issues.

Bolton held talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Georgy Mamedov, who is responsible for disarmament issues, the ministry said in a statement.

"The creation of an international coalition against terrorism was the focus of the discussions," the statement said.

The two officials also discussed the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty signed by Moscow and Washington in 1972 and the START disarmament accords, it added.

"Particular attention was given to proposals for the creation of a new framework for US-Russian strategic relations," the ministry said.

These proposals from Russian President Vladimir Putin were delivered to US President George W. Bush during a September 19 visit to Washington by Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, the ministry said without giving further detail.

Bolton arrived in Moscow from the Uzbek capital Tashkent, where he held talks with Uzbek officials on ways to combat global terrorism.

Uzbekistan is one of three former Soviet republics that shares a border with Afghanistan, thought to be the likely site of US reprisal strikes in response to the September 11 terror attacks on New York and Washington.

Afghanistan's ruling Taliban regime has given shelter to Saudi-born dissident millionaire Osama bin Laden, whom Washington believes to be the mastermind of the attacks that left more than 6,000 dead and missing.