MOSCOW. July 4 (Interfax) - Problems arising in the talks to extend the Russian military base's stay in Tajikistan are due to the presence of a large American military contingent in the region, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin told the press.
"The presence of such a large NATO force in the vicinity of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and other Central Asian neighbors creates an influence factor, which these states cannot disregard. This factor has been creating an instability and unpredictability field in our partners' conduct," Rogozin said.
Rogozin was commenting on problems that have emerged in the talks on the location of Russia's 201st military base in Tajikistan.