Departing US military scraps its unwanted equipment, selling it to Afghans for $46 million

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Departing US military scraps its unwanted equipment, selling it to Afghans for $46 million
By Associated Press, Updated: Wednesday, November 6, 1:32 PM

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — The withdrawing U.S. military is destroying most of the equipment it is leaving behind in Afghanistan after 13 years of war, selling the scrap for millions of dollars to those willing to buy it.

The policy stands in stark contrast to the Americans’ withdrawal from Iraq, when they donated or sold still-usable items worth about $100 million.

The equipment is being trashed, U.S. officials say, because of fears that anything left behind in Afghanistan could fall into the hands of insurgents and used to make bombs. Leaving it behind also saves the U.S. billions of dollars in transportation costs.

Afghans are angry at the policy, arguing that even furniture and appliances that could improve their lives is being turned into useless junk.


Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/departing-us-military-scraps-its-unwanted-equipment-selling-it-to-afghans-for-46-million/2013/11/06/214eb184-471a-11e3-95a9-3f15b5618ba8_story.html

[RC]

1. It has to be turned into junk. Replacement is profit for the MIC.

We can't be cutting their welfare now, can we?

[bobGandolf]

2. NO S%$T!!! n/t

[Javaman]

3. "Leaving it behind also saves the U.S. billions of dollars in transportation costs."

could have saved us trillions if we didn't go there in the first place, but alas...

[OnlinePoker]

4. It doesn't sound like they think the country will stay stable once the U.S. withdraws.

Last edited Wed Nov 6, 2013, 07:47 PM - Edit history (1)

Hence the destruction rather than sale of useable equipment.

[ConcernedCanuk]

5. US withdrawal from Iraq worked out fine . . .

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oh -wait a minute . . .



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