"At the level of political leadership of the state, a decision was taken to build the Russian Black Sea Fleet base in Novorossiisk. In line with the federal targeted program, to be adopted soon, in 2005, several hundred million rubles will be allocated for these aims," said the minister.
However, in his words, this is not supposed to mean that the Russian fleet will leave Sevastopol. The minister emphasized that the marines and other units in the North Caucasian military district must be stationed. The base in Novorossiisk will be built for these aims, he added.
New ships have been registered with the Black Sea Fleet in the last few years; there are plans to deliver a new diesel submarine. In Mr. Ivanov's words, soon the Black Sea Fleet's major forces will leave for the Mediterranean for combat training and patrolling.
The minister congratulated everyone who has to do with the Navy on the holiday. "It is very well felt in Sevastopol that the Navy Day is a popular holiday," he said.
Speaking about the prospects of the fleet development, Mr. Ivanov said that the state will start modernizing the fleet and building new bases.
Replying to the question about the situation in South Ossetia, the Russian defense minister said Russian armaments must be returned to Russian territory if a previous decision about the creation of a helicopter group in Tskhinvali, the capital of the unrecognized republic of South Ossetia, is canceled. "Maybe variants exist, but the principle is single. If the Georgian leadership admits that the jointly taken, with Georgian representatives' participation, decision to station helicopter peacekeeping forces in Tskhinvali should be canceled, then all Russian helicopter property must be returned to Russian territory," the minister said.
"As regards how and when it will be returned, this is a subject for negotiations, but first the Georgian leadership must actually take the decision on the disavowal of its own signature," said the minister.
