&host=rt.com&uri=/usa/news/nato-afghanistan-far-east/&via=(none)&ua=CCBot/1.0 (+http://www.commoncrawl.org/bot.html))
US considers NATO supply route via Russian Far East
Published: 18 March, 2010, 10:26
Edited: 15 October, 2010, 10:46
Aid received during a distribution for the needy in Kabul (AFP Photo / Shah Marai)
(2.0Mb) embed videoTAGS: Military, NATO, Russia, USA
The US wants to deliver supplies for its troops in Afghanistan through Russia’s Far East, according to the commander of US Transportation, General Duncan McNabb.
As he spoke to US Congress, he said the route could become part of the Northern Distribution Network created by the Pentagon.
The system is aimed at cutting the costs of deliveries to Afghanistan, as well as bypassing the dangers of Pakistan.
At the moment, supplies coming from Turkey are passing through the Central Asian parts of Russia.
The issue will be on the table during Hillary Clinton’s visit to Moscow, which started on Thursday.
18.03.2010, 09:06
START talks may enter final straight as Clinton visits MoscowUS Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in Moscow for talks on the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or START. The signing has reportedly stalled over US plans to install anti-missile defense units in Eastern Europe. |
18.03.2010, 17:48
8 comments
Sorry Uncle Sam, Russia finds a real friend in the UNWith the Moscow-Washington “reset” having gone into overload, the United Nations Secretary General has expressed his willingness to cooperate with Russia on diverse issues. |
That´s is another element which can help rebuild the Russian Far East, adding some trade and investment.
Meslin: "One way or an other, Americans will manage to set foot in Russia." That has been America's goal ever since George Kennan was sent on a spy mission to travel across Siberia in 1885. Kennan wrote volumes of what he saw and what vast mineral wealth there may be in Siberia. Of course the cover story for his trip was his "humanitarian concern" for the convicts and people the Tsar sent to Siberia. The Americans have for some time wanted to dismember Russia and some Americans are quite open about this desire. However, I would not sell the Russian short. The Russians are quite aware the American power structure is rapidly changing because the white Christians are becoming a minority and will no longer rule the land after 2040. By then there will be a new paradigm for the Russians to deal with.
Supplies that are not weapon related should be allowed through, of course like any international shipments they should be inspected to ensure there aren't any items that are not approved. US money could certainly be used to upgrade the Russian far east, but US cooperation in dealing with the drugs coming out of Afghanistan would be more useful as a discussion point before agreements are made on the routes US supplies take.