Russia's Putin says Chechen rebels out to kill all non-Muslims

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- A French reporter who questioned the Kremlin's war in Chechnya provoked an angry outburst from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who challenged him to convert to Islam and come to Moscow for circumcision.

During a post-European Union summit news conference, Putin also said Chechen rebels want to kill all non-Muslims and establish an Islamic state in Russia.

Putin became agitated Monday after a reporter from the French newspaper Le Monde questioned his troops' use of heavy weapons against civilians in the war in Chechnya. Chechnya is predominantly Muslim.

"If you want to become an Islamic radical and have yourself circumcised, I invite you to come to Moscow," Putin said.

"I would recommend that he who does the surgery does it so you'll have nothing growing back, afterward," he added. Circumcision is a tenet of Islam for all males.

As a result of the faulty translations, there was little coverage of Putin's remarks in the European media on Tuesday. Details of what Putin said were revealed Tuesday when The Associated Press translated an audiotape from the news conference.

The translation showed Putin issuing a broadside against the Chechen rebels.

They talk about "the need to kill Americans and their allies," Putin said. "They talk about the need to kill all ... non-Muslims, or 'crusaders,' as they put it. If you are a Christian, you are in danger.

Putin claims Russia is fighting international terrorism -- not an independence movement -- in Chechnya.