U.S. cargo uses Russia to reach Afghanistan

U.S. cargo uses Russia to reach Afghanistan A shipment of non-military U.S. cargo destined for Afghanistan has been routed through Russia for the first time, a Russian official told the news outlet Agence France-Presse.
   A U.S. embassy official confirmed to the news agency that the shipment was carrying 'non-lethal' cargo like construction supplies.
   'The U.S. embassy in Latvia said last month that Washington was aiming to send 20 to 30 trainloads of supplies per week to Afghanistan via Latvia, Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan,' the report said. 'Russia and NATO reached the deal on transit of supplies for Afghanistan in April last year, but the August war in Georgia prevented the agreement being fully put into practice as ties deteriorated badly.'
   The new route, dubbed the 'Northern Distribution Network' for NATO forces in Afghanistan, could be crucial as supply lines from the east in Pakistan have been repeatedly interrupted by terrorist and insurgent attacks.
   Germany is also expected to use the Russia to Afghanistan route for troop supplies.