DATE=3/17/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=RUSSIA U-S AFGHANISTAN (S)

NUMBER=2-287666

BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov says the American public must not be overly optimistic about the war against terrorism in Afghanistan. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports from Washington.

TEXT: Mr. Ivanov says the U-S led operation has been successful in dispersing large groups of terrorists. But he says getting the last holdouts will take time.

/// IVANOV ACT ///

It will take years to dismantle the roots of al-Qaida and Taleban.

/// END ACT ///

The Russian Defense Minister told the N-B-C television program "Meet the Press" that his country knows Afghanistan only too well.

It was a reference to the 10-year Soviet occupation in which thousands of soldiers were killed. He was asked why the Soviets failed and so many died.

/// IVANOV ACT TWO ///

The Soviet Union at the time was trying to impose military power on every square mile of Afghanistan.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Ivanov said he is convinced none of the countries currently involved in Afghanistan has such an aim. (SIGNED)

NEB/PW/RAE