MOSCOW, March 1 (RIA Novosti) - Russia has objections to the USA deploying military bases in Georgia, Sergei Ivanov, Russia's Defense Minister, said to the media in Moscow. "We don't see any point why such bases ought to appear in that country," he remarked.
Russia also does not deem it necessary for the USA to deploy AWACS planes at its Manas air base in Kyrgyzstan, added the minister.
"Information has leaked of late about AWACS planes to appear at the Manas. If that is really so, we don't see just why Americans need such craft there. AWACS planes have no bearing at all on anti-terror combat in Afghanistan," he stressed.
Mr. Ivanov does not think the USA intends to build up its military presence in Central Asia.
"As far as I know, the United States has no plans to enhance its military presence in the Central Asian region. Whatever bases it has in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan appeared with the developments in Afghanistan," he reassured.
