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
convinced in it," the Minister stated. "There is no military presence of
the US and NATO there - except for the cases clearly agreed upon," he
noted.