The Molotov-Ribbentrop carve-up of Afghanistan's on a roll....
Kabul looks to Russia to rearm
February 11, 2002 Posted: 9:46 PM EST (0246 GMT)
MOSCOW, Russia -- Afghanistan's interim Defence Minister Mohammad Fahim is holding talks with the country's former foe Russia to secure military arms for its fledgling national army.
Fahim was due to have talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Ivanov on Monday, on obtaining military hardware and help in reconstructing the war torn country, Russian news agencies reported.
Russia has offered technical assistance in setting up health care facilities in the Afghan capital Kabul and repairing the key Salang Tunnel connecting the country's north and south.
The former superpower unsuccessfully occupied the central Asian country during the 1980s.
But it was a key ally of the Northern Alliance in its long-running battle against the Taliban.
Last year, Moscow supplied about $34 million worth of arms to anti-Taliban forces, Interfax reported, quoting military sources.
The supplies were mostly Soviet-era materiel, including armoured vehicles, transport helicopters, anti-tank cannons and other weapons, the news agency added.
Afghanistan's interim government is now seeking spare parts and new contracts to replace other ageing equipment, Interfax said.
Fahim, who arrived on Sunday for a seven-day visit, is the most senior member of the interim Afghan government to visit Moscow since the six-month administration took power in December.
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