Why will U.S. military bases be needed if the terrorist threat in ... Afghanistan is ended?"

[The Straight Story]

Russia opposes long-term U.S. bases in Afghanistan

- Russia urged the United States on Friday not to establish "long-term" military bases in Afghanistan, suggesting even discussing such deployments could undermine peacemaking efforts and anger neighbors.

The Russian Foreign Ministry used a commentary on what it said were media reports about U.S.-Afghan talks on the potential deployment of long-term bases to register its opposition.

"This information makes one think and raises questions," the ministry said in a statement. "Why will U.S. military bases be needed if the terrorist threat in ... Afghanistan is ended?"

"Will Kabul be able to combine negotiations on a long-term American military presence with the reconciliation process? How will Afghanistan's neighbors view the deployment of a foreign country's military bases near their territory?"


http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/18/us-russia-usa-afghanistan-idUSTRE71H60120110218