MOLKINO, Russia, SEPT 23, SPA -- Russian and Uzbek security troops on Saturday concluded three-day joint anti-terrorism exercises in southern Russia, which underscored growing ties between the Kremlin and the Uzbek government. The maneuvers held in the village of Molkino, which isoutside the city of Krasnodar near the restive Caucasusmountains, were watched by both countries' defenseministers, who hailed the drills as professional and wellcoordinated. «Both Russia and Uzbekistan have faced a real threat ofterrorism in the recent years; therefore, these exerciseswill help promote further growth of professionalism of thespecial units of both states,» Russian Defense MinisterSergei Ivanov was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/391875