The China-Kazakhstan joint anti-terror drill displayed the excellent response to emergencies of participating troops of the two sides, said a senior Kazakhstan security official Saturday.

 

 

The first phase of the drill was held in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan Thursday. The second-phase was held in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Saturday.

 

Vladimir Boshko, first vice chairman of the Committee of the National Security of Kazakhstan, said experience from the drill will surely enhance coordination and cooperation of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries in anti-terror actions.

 

Vyacheslav T. Kasimov, director of the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of SCO, said the good cooperation between public security, border guard force, state security and customs departments in the drill is important to fight terrorist forces.

 

He said the drill further shows leaders of this region will deal resolute blows to the "three evil forces", namely separatists, terrorists and extremists, if necessary.

 

He said the SCO will further push forward anti-terror efforts. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are considering to hold a multi-lateral anti-terror drill.

 

He said the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the SCO is engaged in cooperation with other international organizations on three levels: information analysis, harmonization of laws and concrete anti-terror actions.

 

Meng Hongwei, China's vice-minister of Public Security, said the drill fully shows the determination of SCO countries in fighting the "three evil forces".

 

"It is of great significance to frightening the 'three evil forces' in the region, enhancing SCO's role in maintaining regional security and stability, exploring new approaches to security cooperation and coping with new challenges in international and regional situations," said Meng.

 

 

 

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 27, 2006)