{"id":3855,"date":"2011-05-22T19:00:36","date_gmt":"2011-05-22T19:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.andrewgrantham.co.uk\/afghanistan\/?p=3855"},"modified":"2012-09-10T17:48:20","modified_gmt":"2012-09-10T16:48:20","slug":"why-hairatan-gate-matters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.andrewgrantham.co.uk\/afghanistan\/why-hairatan-gate-matters\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Hairatan Gate matters"},"content":{"rendered":"

Railway<\/a><\/p>\n

The rail line at the Hairatan Gate Border Crossing provides residents in Northern Afghanistan not only a chance for economic stability, but a means for helping troops get cargo and equipment back home during the future drawdown.<\/q> <\/p>\n

[Photo: Peter Mayes\/DVIDS, 2011-04-26]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n

Why Hairatan Gate matters<\/h3>\n

[…]<\/p>\n

[Hayratan] is the first and only border crossing with a functioning rail line<\/strong> which currently runs from Hairatan all the way to Mazar-E-Sharif<\/strong>. The intent is to re-establish the distribution network in the north through Europe and Central Asia, and tie that line into its infrastructure.<\/p>\n

[…]<\/p>\n

Finally, while promoting economic stability in the region, establishing a rail line at the Hairatan gate border crossing fits firmly into the intent laid out by International Security Assistance Forces Commander Gen. David Petraeus to create a means of a future withdrawal from Afghanistan.<\/p>\n

“We\u2019re trying to think two to three steps ahead of where we\u2019re at. A safe, reliable route from Afghanistan is a plus,” Wentworth said. “But we also need to ensure that we\u2019re meeting [President Obama\u2019s] intent and conditions that are being laid out. <\/p>\n

The rail line was funded by the Central Asian banks and the Uzbekistan government built it. <\/p>\n

“It\u2019s just one step in the development of this region,” Wentworth said. “It\u2019s been tested and shown to be functional<\/strong>. All that needs to be agreed upon is the day-to-day operation of it. That\u2019s something that has to be figured out between the two governments.”<\/p>\n

[…]
\nSource: Why Hairatan Gate matters<\/a>, Sgt. 1st Class Peter Mayes, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs, 2011-05-13<\/cite>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

DVIDS also has a video:<\/p>\n