U.S. diplomat holds Afghan supply talks in Moscow

[Coventina]

Source: Reuters

MOSCOW (Reuters) - A senior U.S. diplomat will hold talks with Russian officials on Tuesday about opening up new supply routes across Russian territory to NATO forces in Afghanistan, the U.S. embassy said.

The talks come less than a week after Kyrgyzstan announced it will close a U.S. airbase on its territory that provides logistical support by air to U.S. troops fighting the Taliban in nearby Afghanistan.

Russia has signalled readiness to expand cooperation in supplying non-military equipment to U.S. forces and other NATO contingents in Afghanistan. Such shipments would also have to pass through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to reach the conflict zone.

Supply routes through Pakistan have become increasingly vulnerable to militant attacks over the last year.



Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKTRE5192JT20090210

[bemildred]

1. Time for a little horse-trading, perhaps?

A Rodney King moment?(*)

* - "Can't we all just get along?"