Posted on 07/06/2005 6:24:16 AM PDT by Our_Man_In_Gough_Island
An alliance of former Soviet states and China has urged the US-led coalition in Afghanistan to set a timetable for withdrawing troops from member states. The Shanghai Co-operation Organisation said it continued to support the anti-terror coalition in Afghanistan, which had stabilised the situation.
But in a joint statement the group said the active military phase of the Afghan operation was nearing completion.
Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan host US bases used to back troops in Afghanistan.
About 18,000 coalition forces are in Afghanistan tracking al-Qaeda and Taleban militants.
SHANGHAI CO-OPERATION ORGANISATION
China Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Russia Tajikistan Uzbekistan At talks in Kazakhstan, the Shanghai group called on the coalition to agree a deadline for ending the temporary use of bases and air space in nearby countries.
Correspondents say the statement appears to reflect increasing concerns that the US is encouraging the overthrow of Central Asia's authoritarian governments.
The statement comes after Kyrgyzstan's leader was ousted in March, and follows Western criticism of the Uzbek authorities for their violent suppression of dissent in eastern Uzbekistan.
Europe's security body, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), said between 300-500 people died when troops fired on a rally in the city of Andijan. Tashkent says 173 died.
Tell these SOBs they can go pound sand.
Tell these SOBs they can go pound sand.
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My response was a bit more "socially-unacceptable" but carried the same message.
Then urinate up a rope.
Answer: "Two years after China pulls out of Tibet."
How dare you suggest such a thing? Tibet is a soverign part of China, just like Taiwan. Why would China withdraw troops from thier own territory? You better watch your step, Brad...(extreme sarcasm)
The US cannot project force in Central Asia without the permission of Russia. In case you hadn't noticed, that neck of the woods doesn't have seaports. Period. So chest thumping bravado about "pounding sand" is silly.
Besides, Afghanistan is Russia's and India's sphere of interest. Not ours.
Well, then I guess our only alternative is to support the Sunni groups in Iran for independence from the Mullahs. I'm sure we can cobble together a contiguous territory that would connect Iraq to Afghanistan.
(only half joking)
Unfortunately, Russia and India have not done a good job of maintaining "their spheres of influence" since they let Afghanistan devolve and let it's problems escape and kill Americans in New York, the USS Cole, and at our embassies.
Sam, you're living in a dream-world.
Anyone who thinks America can simply plop troops into Central Asia without the permission of Russia and China and India is living in a fantasy world.
We 'took' it with Russian logistical support which was damn generous of them considering how pissed they still were over what we had done to the Serbs.
Do you think Karzai doesn't understand that Afghanistan's long term interests revolve around Russia, Iran, China, and India ? Not the US ? Why do you think he made such a big stink over that airstrike that killed 17 Afghan civilians ? He is distancing himself from the US now that the Taliban is winding down and working on improving his relations with the regional powers because he is in their sphere of interest. Not ours.
I don't care if Russia puts a puppet government in Afghanistan. Frankly, we never should have.
Only fight battles that you need to win.
Aside from closing down Al-Qaeda's Terrorism U, the US has no strategic interest in Afghanistan. Russia has a great strategic interest. I see no reason to get into a pissing fight with Putin over something that means nothing to us. It is assinine to adopt a policy of humiliating Russia whenever and wherever possible.
That kind of swaggering arrogance has a way of biting you in the ass. Like Wilhelmine Germany.
Long term economic interests yes but like some many nations around the world having a US base in their country in a good way to keep your neighbors in check.We will leave in time but not till things are alot more stable then they are.Karzai is a politician , what he says to keep his people happy and what he does to keep his nation safe are very different things.If we follow you logic the nations of east Europe should be running away from the US as fast they can yet they want us there so their neighbors don't get pushy while making those deals. So as I said ..... when those nations Afghanistan included ask us to leave....We will and not a second faster.
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