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New Tajik-Afghan bridge
The presidents of Afghanistan and Tajikistan have inaugurated a new
bridge linking the two countries across the River Panj.
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The $37m (£18.4m) project is the United States' gift to the region,
and Washington hopes that it will restore the ancient trade ties, as
well as helping to bring much needed economic relief to the two
countries.
Things by the Tajik-Afghan border have been hot and hectic.
Covered in dust, and sweating under the blistering sun, several
dozen men worked to build a massive stage there.
A
few feet away from them, a group of teenagers in traditional dresses
had spent a day giggling away and rehearsing their performance
dance. The US Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez joined the
Afghan and Tajik presidents inaugurating the bridge.
For two years Brian Walls of the US Army Corp of Engineers, has been
in charge of the construction here.
He
says the bridge is the missing link of the ancient Silk Road, and
that linking Afghanistan with its neighbour will help the economies
on both sides, and beyond.
"Of course first of all it will be beneficial for Afghanistan and
Tajikistan, but I think other countries too will get involved, and
commerce will be able to flourish," Walls said.
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Teenagers wearing traditional dress take part in a special
ceremony |
There is not much traffic between the two countries at the moment.
An unreliable ferry service is the only way of getting across the
fast-flowing river, and no more than a dozen cars a day manage to
make the journey.
The bridge could increase this number to 1,000. The potential
economic gains of this project are enormous, but according to the
Tajik journalist, Ilhom Nazriev, so are the potential risks.
Mr
Nazriev said: "No question that this is hugely important both for
Tajikistan and Afghanistan. It may allow us to trade with places
like China or India, but we are also going to lose a natural buffer
zone.
The bridge does offer a link to the outside world that Afghanistan
has long needed. |
