Military

DATE=10/10/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-281601

TITLE= CHINA/RUSSIA/TERROR L

BYLINE=JIM RANDLE

DATELINE=BEIJING

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Top Chinese and Russian officials say they would support a new,

coalition government in neighboring Afghanistan. The two governments

also are said to agree on an approach to fighting terrorism. V-O-A's Jim

Randle reports the comments came in a telephone conversation between

the Chinese and Russian foreign ministers and were reported in China's

official press.

TEXT: Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan told Russia's top diplomat

Igor Ivanov an Afghan coalition government able to cooperate with neighboring countries in a friendly manner would benefit peace, stability -- and the Afghan people.

Chinese government-controlled newspapers report Russia's Ivanov

says the international community should support a broad-based coalition

government.

Most of Afghanistan is ruled by the hard-line Taliban Islamic

movement, which is hosting Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaida

organization -- accused of killing thousands of Americans in terrorist

attacks.

Both China and Russia have conflicts with Islamic separatists operating in

their countries. Experts say these separatists might be getting some support

from groups inside Afghanistan.

China's Minister Tang says Beijing and Moscow have the same stance and

interests on the issue of anti-terrorism.

Chinese officials say concerns about the possibility of the current

conflict in Afghanistan spreading into China prompted Beijing to move

more troops into the sensitive border zone.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Sun Yuxi (prono: son ooh-see-ee)

says Beijing has closed its border with Afghanistan and ordered

foreigners -- particularly journalists -- to stay out of the area.

/// SUN ACTUALITY IN CHINESE, ESTABLISH, FADE UNDER TEXT ///

China and Russia -- longtime Cold War enemies of the United States -- have

both backed Washington's war on terrorism after September's deadly

terror attacks on New York and the Pentagon left thousands of Americans

dead.

Mr. Sun says China's police are working to track down the people

responsible for the attacks on the United States and promised to

quickly share any relevant "leads or information." (Signed).

NEB/HK/JR/WD