Afghans, Iran linked by new road, divided by U.S.

27 Jan 2005 13:41:39 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Saeed Haqiqi

...

Still, all talk at the official opening of the 122-km (76-mile), $60-million road, paid for by Iran, was of brotherly ties and forging friendship. Most of Afghanistan's imports come through Iran, and the new, paved road should lead to a surge in trade.

...

"The reconstruction of Afghanistan will first of all benefit the oppressed people of Afghanistan and then its neighbouring countries," said Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who was handpicked by Washington to lead the country after the ouster of the Taliban.
The presence of 18,000 U.S. troops, including special forces, in Afghanistan, some of them close to the Iranian border, can be little comfort for Iran's leaders.

...

Iran ridiculed the report from Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Seymour Hersh and the Pentagon denied it, but the presence of Karzai's burly American bodyguards at the border can only have served as a reminder of the gulf between the neighbours in their relations with the world's strongest military power.

Nevertheless, analysts said Iran and Afghanistan both had too much to lose by letting that get in the way of relations with each other.

"A collection of common interests and fears push Iran and Afghanistan to become friendlier with each other," said Iranian analyst Saeed Leylaz.

more
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/ISL112885.htm

just in case we want to drive some tanks on it as part of our invasion of Iran?

The Iranians would be fools if they didn't do so.

I'll bet the road goes through some spectacular mountains, and I wouldn't mind taking a drive on it. Too bad Americans aren't safe in that part of the world--thanks, bushboy.

Redstone

aggression. all kinds of people can use a good road.