Moscow calls Afghan recognition of Chechnya "legally void"

MOSCOW, Jan 18 (AFP) - The Russian foreign ministry said Monday the recognition of Chechnya's independence by Afghanistan's Taliban regime was "legally void" and threatened to step up sanctions against Kabul.

"Such a move by the Taliban who aim to dominate Afghanistan by fighting against the legitimate government of Burhanuddin Rabbani, recognized by the UN, is legally void," the ministry said in a communique.

"The Security Council resolution on introducing international anti-terrorist sanctions against the Taliban movement from November 14, 1999 foresees if necessary the possibility of applying extra, more severe measures," it warned.

The communique went on: "The Taliban's open support for terrorists operating in one of the parts of the Russian Federation gives serious reasons to envisage a toughening of the sanctions against the Taliban movement."

Taliban leader Mulla Mohammad Omar decided to support the separatist government on Sunday after having met a delegation from Chechnya. The Russian ministry said the move showed "the need to unite efforts by the international community in the fight against the universal evil of terrorism."

The Russian military on Monday also lashed out at the Taliban militia for recognising the independence of Moscow's rebel republic.

"One terrorist group supports another -- they are seeking solidarity," said General Leonid Ivashov, the international relations chief in the Russian defense ministry, ITAR-TASS reported.

He further accused the Taliban of offering financial assistance to the separatist fighters of Chechnya in their battle for independence from Russia.

"This once again shows the international community and those who criticize Russia for its Chechnya operation that terrorism has an international nature," the general was quoted as saying.

Alexander Zdanovich, spokesman for Russia's Federal Security Serviceex-KGB) was quoted by Interfax on Monday as saying the FSB and border guards were taking all possible measures "to prevent the Taliban from entering Chechnya no matter how they present themselves, as diplomats or anything else."

The Taliban, the first regime to approve of the sovereignty of Chechnya, are recognized only by Pakistan, their main backer, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Afghanistan's United Nations seat is occupied by a representative of former president Rabbani whose former defence minister, Ahmed Shah Masood, is still fighting against the fundamentalist militia in northeast Afghanistan.

Russia has several times warned that it would break all relations with a government that supports the independence drive of its separatist republic.