Medvedev, Pakistan president discuss regional security in Dushanbe

DUSHANBE, September 2 (Itar-Tass) -- The Dushanbe summit between the
leaders of Russia, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan showed that their
views are identical on the security problem in Central Asia.
At a meeting with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari after the
four-party summit on Friday Russian President Dmitry Medvedev stated that
he is "inspired with a speech in harsh terms" over regional security by
his Pakistani counterpart.
The Pakistani president believes that the time for diplomatic speeches
passed and it is high time for decisive actions in security. However, the
details of his speech were not reported, because the summit was held
behind closed doors.
Commenting on Zardari's speech at a bilateral meeting with Zardari
Medvedev said, "I believe that in general it (the speech) reflects
probably some dramatic tendency, which has taken shape in regional
security."
Commenting on the four-party summit the Russian president noted that
such summits are needed for an open exchange of opinions on the most
complicated issues. "So that we could say to each other frankly what we
are thinking," Medvedev elaborated.
He noted that before his meeting with Zardari he had the negotiations
with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who also "considers such exchange of
opinions very useful."
Zardari agreed with Medvedev that "the time is high today for frank
statements, a little time remained and the world changed."
Commenting on the results of the four-party summit earlier Medvedev
stated that the countries in Central Asia should ensure security in this
region, and the assistance of other countries has an important but not
decisive significance.
"Our countries, namely Russia, Tajikistan, Pakistan and Afghanistan
will eventually bear responsibility for the events in the region," the
Russian president stressed, noting that he expressed the common position
of all summiteers.
"Those partners, who help resolve various tasks in the region today,
are certainly very important and much depends from them today," Medvedev
added.
"Therefore, we should ponder over how to improve cooperation between
our countries, so that our countries will ensure peace and security in the
region," the Russian leader went on to say.
"Otherwise, much effort that is taken to ensure security can happen to
be in vain," Medvedev warned.