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London's measures counterproductive - Russian president's envoy
The measures taken by the authorities in London, including their decision to suspend cooperation with Russian special services, are counterproductive, Anatoly Safonov, the Russian president's envoy on international cooperation in the fight against terrorism and cross-border organized crime, told Interfax.
"The British need cooperation in the fight against terrorism as much as we do. But they think they can do without us. That is their choice. But I believe it is counterproductive. Our British partners should not think that only we will suffer," he said.
Safonov, however, said he does not think that the suspension of Moscow-London cooperation in combating terrorism will have a negative effect on the joint fight against terrorism around the world.
"I would not spread the UK position to cover the whole international community, including European nations," he said.
Moscow's decision to suspend cooperation with London in the fight against terrorism came as a response to the stance taken by the British authorities, Safonov said.
The UK announced that it would suspend its contacts with Russia's Federal Security Service.
"But it is not the country's main body that arranges and coordinates the fight against terrorism in the Russian Federation. London's intention to cooperate with us in such a selective manner is counterproductive," the official said.
What is sad is that all this has distracted everyone's attention from the essence of the conflict, Safonov said.
"The point is that the entire international community approves the 'extradite or prosecute' formula one way or another today. In the case of Zakayev, Berezovsky and Lugovoi, it is necessary to follow this principle: if the law does not permit their extradition, they should be prosecuted inside the country," he said.
"We have offered Britain procedural, criminal and judicial cooperation in this issue. But our proposal has not yet been answered. It concerns the cases of both Zakayev, Berezovsky and Lugovoi," he said.
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