Russia denies US, Western claims on arming Taliban

MOSCOW, July 26 (KUNA) -- Russia has denied recent US and Western press claims on its involvement in arming the Taliban, calling such claims as incorrect.
The old Soviet arms found in Afghanistan were transported to the country from Eastern Europe, not Russia, Russian foreign ministry affirmed in a statement Wednesday.
The ministry ruled out any Russian involvement in supplying the outlawed Afghan movement with military equipment and ammunition.
The Americans have transported large quantities of Soviet-made arms to Afghanistan from Eastern Europe at the turn of the new decade, the statement said.
Meanwhile, the recent Russian-Taliban communications aim only at securing the safety of Russian citizens currently working in Afghanistan, and convincing the movement to join and take part in the national conciliation process, noted the statement. (end) as.ma