December 31, 2001	Monday	Shawwal 15, 1422

MOSCOW, Dec 30: Russia responded firmly on Sunday to US criticism of its military intervention in Chechnya, saying that Western powers should not set double-standards in the pursuit of alleged terrorists.

“We should not set double standards in defining terrorism and terrorists,” Russian Security Council Secretary Vladimir Rushailo told the Interfax news agency.

“Terrorists, wherever they are located, remain terrorists and must be viewed as such — and not as freedom fighters,” Rushailo said.

Russia has branded its two-year war in Chechnya as an “anti-terror campaign”, which was started after a 1999 wave of apartment block bombings blamed on guerillas.

The United States and other Western powers eased off in their criticism of the war after the launch of the US-led assault on Afghanistan.

However, in a rare public attack, US Ambassador Alexander Vershbow told Echo Moscow radio on Friday that Russia and the rebels needed to open political talks and halt the conflict.—AFP