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Ivanov: Afghans in Cuba Should Not Have POW Status VOA News 2 Feb 2002 21:50 UTC 
Russia's defense minister says he backs the United States' decision not to treat detainees it has taken to a base in Cuba as prisoners of war.
Sergei Ivanov told reporters in Munich, Germany Saturday that the men seized in Afghanistan are terrorists, and that terrorists can not be treated as POW's.
The United States is currently holding 158 men in small outdoor cells at the U.S naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Human rights groups have criticized the U.S. decision to deny the men prisoner-of-war status, which would give them certain rights, such as the right not to answer questions under interrogation.
Mr. Ivanov made his comments on the sidelines of an international security conference in Munich.
Some information for this report provided by AP and DPA.
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