Afghan president claims defense deal with Russia

[sabra]

Source: AP

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Russia is ready to cooperate on defense matters with Afghanistan, the Afghan president said Monday. The announcement coincides with increasingly public tensions between Afghan and Western officials, as well as Russia's heightened efforts to assert itself on the international stage.

In a letter, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said cooperation on defense issues would "be effective for both countries and also effective for maintaining security in the region," Afghan President Hamid Karzai's office said in a statement.

"As a friendly government to Afghanistan, Russia is ready to offer its cooperation to an independent and a democratic Afghanistan," the statement quoted Medvedev as saying.

The statement did not say how the two countries would cooperate, but historically they have been at odds. Russian soldiers were part of the Soviet Army that occupied Afghanistan throughout the 1980s, before being forced to withdraw in 1989 following years of a U.S.-supported insurgency that drained Soviet resources and contributed to the country's collapse.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hvWEqwq3CrRvaQCmt21MfoYhjZJQD95QBD100

[Joe Chi Minh]

1. Maybe that'll teach the West's bellicose nerds not to interfere in Russia's sphere of influence.

But I wouldn't bet on it.

[acmavm]

2. Let Russia have 'em. They couldn't do anything about the

crazies the last time they tried.

[Parker CA]

3. It would be great for Obama to tactfully swing the Russian support for Afghanistan and the US

offensive together against the Taliban in Afghanistan with the support of the Afghani government. If one man can swing the opposite interests into a common direction it will be Obama by heavily utilizing SOS Clinton.

[MessiahRp]

4. So they made a deal with the mayor of Kabul.

It's not like Karzai has any say pull in the rest of Afghanistan.

Rp

[Javaman]

5. aka if america doesn't want our drug money, we'll go with someone that does. lol nt

[Vogon_Glory]

6. Such a Deal Does Make Sense From Karzai's POV

A defense agreement with Russia does make sense from Karzai's point of view. Thanks to the Shrub's bungling, not only has the Taliban managed to regroup in Pakistan's border areas and once again threaten to overrun Afghanistan, but many Pakistanis now oppose US and NATO military intervention in Afghanistan. Should Pakistan cease support for US/NATO operations in Afghanistan and deny airspace and land links through Pakistan, US and NATO forces would be effectively 'landlocked' without any means of supply--unless the Russians allow such supplies to pass through their territory towards US/NATO forces in Afghanistan. It's best for Karzai to kiss and make up with the Rooskis.

Russia does have interests in propping up Karzai. Not only are the Russians frightened of Islamic fundamentalism themselves, but their support for Karzai effectively blocks western energy companies from running oil pipelines through Afghanistan to the sea without the Russians' approval.

George Walker Bush, Iraq, and Afghanistan--the biggest US strategic disasters since the War of 1812!

:argh:

[xchrom]

7. they share a sizeable border -- so -- makes sense.

except for that recent historical thingy.

[Crowman1979]

8. Let's face it, Russia has better prices!

C'mon, Russia is the weapons dealer of choice for every third world country. Our stuff as well as european weapon is too expensive to purchase and maintain.