Russia, China open anti-terrorism center in Uzbekistan

VOA News June 17 The leaders of Russia, China and four Central Asian countries - grouped in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization - have opened a regional anti-terrorism center in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent. The center, officially known as the Regional Anti-terrorist Structure, is designed to coordinate the efforts of the member countries in fighting terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking. The leaders, meeting in Tashkent, also promised Afghan President Hamid Karzai greater help in stabilizing his war-torn country and curb the flow of Afghan heroin through Central Asia. The group also includes Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Chinese President Hu Jiantao said at the meeting the alliance has to fight against three evils - namely separatism, extremism and terrorism - and has to eliminate narco-trafficking and the illegal spread of weapons. Central Asia has been a breeding ground for extremist groups, including some tied to al-Qaida.