US signs Afghanistan transit deal with Tajikistan: US official

[Yusuf]

DUSHANBE: The United States and Tajikistan have agreed a deal on the transit of non-military cargoes for Western operations in Afghanistan, US assistant secretary of state Richard Boucher said Tuesday.

"Yes, it's done," Boucher said in response to a question about the long-expected transit deal with the ex-Soviet republic that neighbours Afghanistan.

The transit of cargoes destined to support Western troops in Afghanistan could begin as soon as one month from now, Boucher said during a visit to the Tajik capital.

Washington has been seeking new routes for supplies to Afghanistan after Kyrgyzstan announced earlier this year that it was closing a key US air base, and amid increasing stability along the main transit route through Pakistan

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...n-Afghan-transit-deal/articleshow/4430484.cms

 

[F-14]

ok now our dear Hamid Zaid would be Cronning away to Glory saying we are dooomed

 

[Yusuf]

Why would he? If the Americans get an uninterrupted supply line, it will only help the Afghans.
Right now it's non combat supplies, won't take too long for it to change to a full fledged supply route.

 

[LETHALFORCE]

Are they going from Turkey thru the ports to Tajikistan??? a long and expensive route.

 

[Daredevil]

No matter how many deals America makes with the surrounding countries of Afghanistan for the transit rights of NATO, the most cheapest apart from Pakistan will be Chabahar port in Iran. If some how americans manage to secure the deal for transit rights through Iran, it will be a win-win situation for India. In the coming days, there is a high possibility of news coming out on this deal if one has to go by the recent track-II talks between Iran and US in Geneva.

 

[LETHALFORCE]

totally agree DD

 

[Yusuf]

Workin out the map, it would be Turkey,Armenia,Azerbaijan,Caspian,Turmenistan. Turkmenistan shares a border with Afghanistan,so why go to Takikistan? Or are they airlifting all the supplies?

 

[LETHALFORCE]

yusuf it maybe a combination of land,air and sea??

 

[Yusuf]

It's going to be expensive using this route, but at least the supplies will reach the US forces.
The sooner the US works out a deal with Iran, the better it is for it as it will be faster and cheaper.

 

[LETHALFORCE]

also this route is at the mercy of the russians if Obama does something Russia dosen't like they can end it like they did in kyrgistan in february.

 

[Yusuf]

All boils down to the Iran question doesn't it?

 

[LETHALFORCE]

All boils down to the Iran question doesn't it?

something USA is doing their best to avoid.

 

[EnlightenedMonk]

Why do I think that with the signing of this deal the number of attacks on convoys in Pakistan will suddenly drop ??? :113::113:

If the US uses more of these convoys instead of Pakistan, their reliance on our neighbour will decrease and that possibly also means less aid to Pakistan with a demand for more accountability...

 

[fateh71]

I think the cost of the alternative route will be more than compensated by the pressure this feeling of beling left out will create on pakistan army. we know how badly they need help, but fake pride, their undoing in the past is still in the way.

the PA has too many officers who love their taliban brothers, don't know to what extent the army will be able to control these terrorists in uniform.

 

[Pintu]

I agree with you Monk, actually when active supply route though Pakistan gets in to the full swing, the Pakistan's importance will also decrease as an ally of the USA , in the fighting in Afghanistan, and more importantly I think there will be cut in donations by the USA to Pakistan for "fighting the terror".

Regards

 

[Yusuf]

Wonder why the US has not enforced a safe passage through Pakistan. Obviously Pakistan will say it violates her sovereignty, so be it to get the job done

 

[EnlightenedMonk]

Right said... they will claim Sovereignty violations over parts of territory which they have never ever really had any control over...