Russian DM: Interested in US Mil. Bases Temporary Presence in CIS

RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTER: `RUSSIA INTERESTED IN US MILITARY BASES TEMPORARY
PRESENCE IN CIS’

31.03.2005 03:21

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russian Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov supposes that
temporary presence of US military bases in the CIS territory, destined
for fighting terrorism in Afghanistan, fits the interests of Russia,
the Minister told Arguments and Facts Russian weekly. `There are US
temporary bases present in the CIS territory due to the counter-terrorism
operation in Afghanistan. It was adjusted by the US and Russia. It is
in our vital interests. I am convincedin it, ‘ the Minister stated.
`There is no military presence of the US and NATO there – except for
the cases clearly agreed upon,’ he noted.