[Peace-discuss] Choking off the war

[C. G. Estabrook]

[A Democratic administration (Carter's) once hired jihadists to go to 
Afghanistan and tempt Russia into invading that country "to give Moscow its own 
Vietnam," according to Carter's National Security Adviser. Now Russia aids the 
US in putting down the jihadists, just as they tried to do a generation ago. 
Russia's motive, then as now, was to prevent a potential general opposition 
movement's growing in Central Asia. They seem resigned/pleased to have the 
US/Nato do it for them this time. The American war would be even more difficult 
and expensive if Russia didn't help. --CGE]

	Nato route opens through Russia

Nato has opened an alternate supply route to Afghanistan though Russia and 
Central Asia, after its convoys moving through Pakistan faced deadly attacks 
from the local Taliban.

The new supply route is crucial for re-supplying the 140,000 strong Nato mission 
in land-locked Afghanistan.

Previously, cargo was shipped to the Pakistani port of Karachi and then 
transported into Afghanistan.

Military planners have been seeking a new route, as the Taliban promised to 
increase attacks on convoys moving through Pakistan.

"We will take advantage of all transport routes available as soon as possible," 
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the Nato secretary-general, said on Friday.

By allowing convoys to move through its territory, Russia has indicateled that 
it is willing to indirectly support the Nato mission.

Russian concern

In recent years, Russia has become concerned that instability in Afghanistan 
could pose a threat to its security interests.

"The Central Asian states and Russia are playing a key role both in terms of 
ground transportation and overflights," Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, 
said.

"It is substantial".

Russia had offered to open its territory to Nato two years ago, but the alliance 
did not immediately pursue the offer.

There are two other possible routes into Afghanistan: through Iran and China.

Nato cannot ship supplies through Iran's southeastern port of Chahar Bahar due 
to the political dispute over Iran's nuclear programme.

The Chinese route, through the Wakhan Corridor, is not practical because the 
dirt road is blocked by snow for much of the year.

Previously, individual countries in the Nato alliance including Germany and the 
US, were allowed to use the the alternative route through Russia and Central Asia.

About 14,000 maritime containers full of supplies had arrived via the northern 
route before it was opened to the whole alliance, Gates said.

Taliban attacks

The Taliban destroyed more than 70 containers in a convoy loaded with Nato 
vehicles and military equipment in Pakistan on Wednesday.

Azzam Tariq, a spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban, has since claimed 
responsibility for the attack, which killed seven people and injured 40 others.

Tariq told Al Jazeera's correspondent in Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, that 
his group would continue to attack convoys mean for Nato forces.

Up to 75 per cent of Nato's non-lethal war materials, including food, medical 
supplies and construction materials, are currently moved into Afghanistan 
through Pakistan.

  Source: 	Al Jazeera and agencies


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