Russia ready to rebuild Afghanistan, with Western money

[Kshasty]

Source: RIA Novosti

Russia is ready to help reconstruct Afghanistan, but it is up to Western countries to come up with the funds, a Russian newspaper reported on Wednesday, quoting Russia's envoy to NATO.

The respected Kommersant business daily said more than 140 industrial facilities and pieces of infrastructure built in Afghanistan by Soviet specialists were candidates for reconstruction using Russian expertise.

"We consider that civil construction projects are the most effective way to fight insurgents. This gives Afghanistan the opportunity to develop a normal independent economy," Dmitry Rogozin said, adding that Russia would put forward the initiative at an international conference on Afghanistan in London on Thursday.

The diplomat said countries "that have a lot of money and want to help Afghanistan, but cannot send soldiers" should provide funds for the country's reconstruction.

"Even mousetrap cheese is not free in times of crisis. So, financing of these projects is a question for the international community," he said, adding that Russia's Western partners should decide how much money should be provided by each country.

Read more: http://en.rian.ru/world/20100127/157691132.html

[Chulanowa]

1. Going dutch at the pottery barn? n/t

[dipsydoodle]

2. The Russians have still got

all of the geological surveys they carried out years ago which they've have always refused to release. I don't blame them really. Sooner or later I reckon they'll be back in Afghanistan mining as the country has high levels of untapped mineral wealth such as uranium.

[shadowknows69]

3. Wow, the irony writes itself on this one doesn't it?

[Arctic Dave]

4. You read my mind. I think I have whiplash after reading this. n/t

[Doctor_J]

6. I dunno. It makes more sense than paying for both

the devastation AND reconstruction.

No? :shrug:

[Doctor_J]

5. Sure thing Dmitry. We'll spend our money to destroy it, and pay you

to rebuild it! Our greenbacks aren't going to to worth much anyway.

[Socal31]

7. I'm sure the Afghan citizens just LOVE Russians....