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The 60-odd, mostly British Muslims, protesters outside 10, Downing Street where Russian President Vladimir Putin was meeting Mr Tony Blair, must have been shocked at the almost threatening retort by the former KGB agent against critics of his Chechnya policy. His less than 24-hour visit has caused much shivers among both Muslim fundamentalists and western leaders.
For Russia it is completely untenable that one of its territories should be used as a launching pad for enemies of Russian statehood and sovereignty, Mr Putin said at a 35-minute Press conference following his meeting with Mr Blair. He minced no words in warning his European counterparts of the common danger they all faced from fundamentalist terrorism.
Undaunted by the all-round criticism for human rights violations in Chechnya and shouts of 'Bomb, bomb, Putin' and 'Scud, scud Kremlin', he raised his voice to retort at the question of a journalist about Chechnya. Mr Putin warned that western Europe will pay a heavy price if it did not wake up to the threat from extremists.
He also accused the West of leaving Russia isolated to fight the common enemy, the fundamentalists engaged in international terrorism. He asked the western leaders to wake up to the threat from fundamentalists otherwise they will rue their indecisiveness over the issue.
The sudden five-minute outburst by Mr Putin stunned not only the media persons but even Mr Blair who did not grin, as he usually does, during the whole of the Press meet. Mr Putin said that European leaders were afraid to side with Moscow because they did not want to upset the Muslim populations in their own countries. Russia was involved in a struggle against international terrorism, which is a threat to the entire world.
The Russian leader, accompanied by a 100-strong contingent of securitymen who did not try to hide their identity or presence, maintained a stoic expression throughout and answered questions without looking at any notes.
"We have seen European countries and European leaders not able to support the Russian fight because they are afraid of a reaction among the Muslim inhabitants of Europe but that's the wrong conclusion," he said. But Mr Putin assured that he would cooperate with a new independent Russian commission for investigating allegations of human rights violations. "We will observe human rights and we will investigate abuses by any side."
Mr Putin was equally forthright in saying that Russia will withdraw from its commitments under the START-II nuclear missile treaty if the US went ahead with setting up a new missile shield involving Britain. Mr Blair assured that no decision has been taken in this regard.
The most satisfied were the British industrialists who met Mr Putin. He invited the British businessmen to invest in his country. Mr Blair should also be happy.
The stout defence by
Mr Putin of his Chechnya policy in a way dented much criticism Mr Blair
faced at home for inviting the Russian leader.
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