Terrorist attacks on U.S.: the international reaction (12/02/01)

Terrorist attacks on U.S.: the international reaction

Special from RFE/RL Newsline

U.S. forces use Bulgarian air base

BURGAS, Bulgaria - The first six U.S. Air Force aircraft intended for support of humanitarian operations in Afghanistan landed on November 23 at the Burgas airport, in the vicinity of that Black Sea port, international agencies reported. The six KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft will remain in Bulgaria for the duration of Operation Enduring Freedom, setting up in Burgas what Foreign Minister Solomon Pasi on November 23 called "a temporary American military base." One day earlier, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Elena Poptodorova said the government approved a request by the United States to use the air base as part of the ongoing international anti-terrorist campaign. A U.S. Embassy official cited by Agence France-Presse said the same day that the planes will be serviced by some 200 ground personnel at the nearby Sarafovo military base.

Russia extends presence in Kabul

MOSCOW - Three military transport planes carrying technical equipment for Russia's new Embassy in Kabul landed at Bagram airport on November 26, Interfax reported. More transport planes are expected to deliver additional supplies in the near future. A delegation of representatives of the Russian ministries of foreign affairs, internal affairs, defense and emergency situations is in Afghanistan preparing to open an Embassy and a delivery center for humanitarian aid. The delivery center is intended to provide "logistical support" for Russian personnel and specialists in Afghanistan. It will include a hospital with a medical staff of 90, as well as representatives of the ministries of health and emergency situations. In addition, the center will provide 300 trucks for delivering humanitarian aid in Afghanistan.

Putin gives briefing on airlift

MOSCOW - At a Security Council meeting this week, President Vladimir Putin revealed that he ordered a military airlift involving 12 IL-76 military transport aircraft loaded with some 400 support and security staff personnel from the defense, foreign affairs, emergency situations and health ministries, as well as other government agencies, Russian and Western news agencies reported on November 27. The planes landed at the former Soviet air base in Bagram, Afghanistan. President Putin said his order for the airlift was given following a request by Afghan President and Northern Alliance leader Burhanuddin Rabbani's government, and was carried out with the help of U.S. troops and Northern Alliance forces. One of the first tasks of the personnel will be to reopen the Russian Embassy and other missions in Kabul, reported Vremia Novostei.

Construction unit arrives in Kabul

MOSCOW - Part of the newly deployed Russian contingent in Kabul consists of military engineering troops who will be responsible for restoring air transportation facilities and setting up a Russian humanitarian aid center, RIA-Novosti reported on November 27. According to a Defense Ministry spokesman, the Russian military also will use IL-76 transport planes to deliver additional humanitarian aid to the central provinces of Afghanistan.

Tajikistan to open Embassy in Kabul

DUSHANBE - Tajikistan's President Imomali Rakhmonov on November 26 issued a decree on the opening as soon as possible of an Embassy of Tajikistan in the capital of Afghanistan, Interfax and Asia Plus-Blitz reported.

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