#3 - RW 283
Reconfiguration of US bases in Europe must heed Russian interests - minister
Interfax

Warsaw, 26 November: The USA must consider Russia's national security interests when it moves its bases in Europe, including to places in Poland, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov told a news conference in Warsaw today.

"Actions of this kind must take account of Russia's security interests," the minister stressed.

He said he had explained Russia's position on this question to his Polish colleague, Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz, during the talks that were held on Wednesday [26 November].

Ivanov noted that, "at the moment, this question is being discussed (with the USA and Poland - Interfax note) in general outline".

At the same time, the Russian foreign minister stressed, the reconfiguration of the US military presence in Europe is, of course, a question which interests Russia.

For his part, Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz said "such proposals have never been made to us (by the USA - Interfax note)".

The Polish minister also said "such a move was necessary because of the changed nature of former threats".

Source: Interfax news agency, Moscow, in Russian 1250 gmt 26 Nov 03.