U.S. Bases in Afghanistan Get $83M Upgrade

[Judi Lynn]

Mar 28, 2:50 AM EST

U.S. Bases in Afghanistan Get $83M Upgrade

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- The United States is spending $83 million to upgrade its two main air bases in Afghanistan, an Air Force general said Monday, the latest indication that American forces will remain in the country for years.

Brig. Gen. Jim Hunt said the money was being spent on construction projects already underway at Bagram Air Base, north of Kabul, and Kandahar Air Field in the south. A new runway is being built at Bagram, the biggest Afghan airfield used by the U.S. military.

"We are continuously improving runways, taxiways, navigation aids, airfield lighting, billeting and other facilities to support our demanding mission," Hunt said at a news conference in the capital.

Afghan leaders are seeking a long-term "strategic partnership" with the United States, which expects to complete the training of the country's new 70,000-strong army next year.
(snip/...)

http://staging.hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AFGHAN_US_BASES?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2005-03-28-02-50-19

[okoboji]

1. only $83 million

to UPGRADE the main airbases.... what? they didn't build them right the first time?

just think what could be done with $83 million for the people of the U.S.

[saigon68]

7. There are apparently No Seniors needing Prescriptions in Amerika

Or for that matter any homeless or hungry children either.

[Robeson]

2. Ah yes, the Leave no Air Base Behind initiative......

...pure Americana Empire right there....

[izzie]

3. Here we go once more. Like 150 bases are not enough

Time we stopped trying to run the world. Where did we get it in our heads we could run the world any how? We build every thing right down to 5 star hotels for Generals over seas. I would think the whole country would be sick of it.

[Robeson]

4. It really is amazing isn't it? How Americans can watch the military...

...industrial complex suck every dime we've got, yet everyone talks about cutting every other program, yet the military budget is sacrosanct...

[4dsc]

5. Global resource wars: The Rosetta Stone

http://www.energybulletin.net/4894.html

They are going to be there for years protecting America's flank from the Chinese...

Some 200 years later we find ourselves back in the part of the world where the Rosetta Stone was discovered, trying to figure out another conundrum. What is the nature of the connection between an ill-planned war in Iraq; the steadily increasing pressure on dissent in the United States; the ongoing estrangement between the United States and its traditional allies; the increasing strains with the country's Canadian neighbor; and the forbearance shown to China as opposed to the increasing distrust of Russia? Is there a compelling overriding theme that connects them all? By lining them up side-by-side the theme becomes clear if you know on what basis to draw in the connections. The one common thread is a global scramble for the remaining energy resources in the world, especially oil and natural gas. Let's take a look at that thread.

[chlamor]

9. Very good article

Energy

:kick:

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

10. Sniperooski-

What makes this fateful global engagement so pitiful is that is has no chance of succeeding at its aim: Guaranteeing the continuance of the energy-intensive American way of life.

[Cocoa]

6. "unclear" my ass!

"not decided" my ass!

It's CRYSTAL clear they're intending permanent bases.

They LONG AGO decided they're intending to keep troops in Afghanistan, Iraq, everywhere, FOREVER.

It remains unclear if that will include permanent American bases in a region that includes Iran, nuclear rivals India and Pakistan and oil-rich Central Asia. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on a visit to Kabul earlier this month that Washington had not decided how long to keep troops here.

[Zerex71]

8. When do our public schools get their $83M upgrades?

[Javaman]

11. Hey, of course we are going to stay for years, the poppi crops are

big bucks for this admin.
I wouldn't be the least be surprised if they are skimming money from the local warlords.

[hector459]

12. And out soldiers are being killed over there weekly. The war is not over

in Afghanistan, if there really ever was a war or just a bombing barage and occupation by US forces fighting ghosts in the mountains.