Comments on: Termez, Where the “T” Is for “Transit” http://registan.net/index.php/2008/04/08/termez-where-the-t-is-for-transit/ All Central Asia, All The Time Fri, 25 May 2012 20:24:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Matt http://registan.net/index.php/2008/04/08/termez-where-the-t-is-for-transit/comment-page-1/#comment-376795 Matt Sun, 13 Apr 2008 22:40:48 +0000 http://www.registan.net/index.php/2008/04/08/termez-where-the-t-is-for-transit/#comment-376795 "...either the U.S. has stopped caring about human rights again, or Karimov is making some backroom concessions that aren’t slithering into the press" The former is certainly true. From what I've heard, the new US ambassador to Tashkent, Noland, has a line of "Human rights - hey, it happens!" A report on Eurasianet said that he even sighted abuses at Guantanamo and Abu Grahib to that effect. That fact that these abuses occurred is regrettable enough, but to now us them as justification for another government's actions is simply deplorable. “…either the U.S. has stopped caring about human rights again, or Karimov is making some backroom concessions that aren’t slithering into the press”

The former is certainly true. From what I’ve heard, the new US ambassador to Tashkent, Noland, has a line of “Human rights – hey, it happens!” A report on Eurasianet said that he even sighted abuses at Guantanamo and Abu Grahib to that effect.

That fact that these abuses occurred is regrettable enough, but to now us them as justification for another government’s actions is simply deplorable.

]]> By: jonathan p http://registan.net/index.php/2008/04/08/termez-where-the-t-is-for-transit/comment-page-1/#comment-376785 jonathan p Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:23:48 +0000 http://www.registan.net/index.php/2008/04/08/termez-where-the-t-is-for-transit/#comment-376785 There is a direct rail link between Termez and Hairaton on the Afghan side. Some of you may be interested in Andrew Grantham's web site about the <a href="http://www.ajg41.clara.co.uk/afghanistan.html#soviet" title="Railways in Afghanistan" rel="nofollow">Afghan rail system</a>, such as it is. There is a direct rail link between Termez and Hairaton on the Afghan side. Some of you may be interested in Andrew Grantham’s web site about the Afghan rail system, such as it is.

]]> By: Oldschool Boy http://registan.net/index.php/2008/04/08/termez-where-the-t-is-for-transit/comment-page-1/#comment-376769 Oldschool Boy Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:34:42 +0000 http://www.registan.net/index.php/2008/04/08/termez-where-the-t-is-for-transit/#comment-376769 I honestly do not know anything about other routes but I know a little bit about Termez - Mazari-Sharif link, since I served in the Soviet military there during the Soviet-Afghan war. I do not think there was any rail-road connection, but there was a major bridge through Amu-Darya that was used for military equipment transportation. From the top of my head there are two main advantages of that route: (1) Termez region was heavily used as a reserve base for military operations carried by Soviet Army in Afghanistan, it had a substantial number of military bases and developed infrustructure that could be used for any military or supply purposes; (2) the Northern part of Afghanistan has always been more tranquil, there have not been many major battles, the local population is less likely to be hostile to foreign developments, as they are mostly uzbeks and tadjiks they are more opposing to talibs, and thus, may actually welcome foreign troops if it guarantees them protection and socio-economic improvement. And it is definitely good for uzbeks, since it will provide them with additional defence on their southern borders plus involves northern part of Afghanistan into the outreach of Uzbekistan influence. I honestly do not know anything about other routes but I know a little bit about Termez – Mazari-Sharif link, since I served in the Soviet military there during the Soviet-Afghan war. I do not think there was any rail-road connection, but there was a major bridge through Amu-Darya that was used for military equipment transportation.
From the top of my head there are two main advantages of that route: (1) Termez region was heavily used as a reserve base for military operations carried by Soviet Army in Afghanistan, it had a substantial number of military bases and developed infrustructure that could be used for any military or supply purposes; (2) the Northern part of Afghanistan has always been more tranquil, there have not been many major battles, the local population is less likely to be hostile to foreign developments, as they are mostly uzbeks and tadjiks they are more opposing to talibs, and thus, may actually welcome foreign troops if it guarantees them protection and socio-economic improvement.
And it is definitely good for uzbeks, since it will provide them with additional defence on their southern borders plus involves northern part of Afghanistan into the outreach of Uzbekistan influence.

]]> By: Joshua Foust http://registan.net/index.php/2008/04/08/termez-where-the-t-is-for-transit/comment-page-1/#comment-376768 Joshua Foust Wed, 09 Apr 2008 21:08:50 +0000 http://www.registan.net/index.php/2008/04/08/termez-where-the-t-is-for-transit/#comment-376768 One thing I forgot to mention. Karimov is very good at playing the ebb and flow game. Relations warm, then sour, then warm, then sour. It is all a shell game, and he'll extract what he wants then clamp down again. What I want to know is: are our diplomats savvy enough to recognize this, or are they gullible enough to think this time he really means it? I have a sinking feeling it's the later. Regardless, I guess they should press for whatever concessions they can get. Thoughts? One thing I forgot to mention. Karimov is very good at playing the ebb and flow game. Relations warm, then sour, then warm, then sour. It is all a shell game, and he’ll extract what he wants then clamp down again. What I want to know is: are our diplomats savvy enough to recognize this, or are they gullible enough to think this time he really means it?

I have a sinking feeling it’s the later. Regardless, I guess they should press for whatever concessions they can get. Thoughts?

]]> By: Michael Hancock http://registan.net/index.php/2008/04/08/termez-where-the-t-is-for-transit/comment-page-1/#comment-376765 Michael Hancock Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:21:57 +0000 http://www.registan.net/index.php/2008/04/08/termez-where-the-t-is-for-transit/#comment-376765 I'm not sure if this points to a general warming of the Uzbek-US relations. It seems to me that our progress in Afghanistan may have recessed to 2002 levels, when the first major UZ/US agreements were brokered. If that's the case, and the US is again going to be putting a lot of effort into holding and securing Mazar-e-Sharif, even to make it a base for the general area... well, we did that already, and when the Uzbeks kicked us out of Uzbekistan, it wasn't a big loss for the DoD. And now that we need Uzbekistan again, we know their price and I guess the DoD will gladly pay it. But that's going off my own meager knowledge - what do others think? I’m not sure if this points to a general warming of the Uzbek-US relations. It seems to me that our progress in Afghanistan may have recessed to 2002 levels, when the first major UZ/US agreements were brokered. If that’s the case, and the US is again going to be putting a lot of effort into holding and securing Mazar-e-Sharif, even to make it a base for the general area… well, we did that already, and when the Uzbeks kicked us out of Uzbekistan, it wasn’t a big loss for the DoD. And now that we need Uzbekistan again, we know their price and I guess the DoD will gladly pay it.

But that’s going off my own meager knowledge – what do others think?

]]> By: afghanistanica http://registan.net/index.php/2008/04/08/termez-where-the-t-is-for-transit/comment-page-1/#comment-376762 afghanistanica Wed, 09 Apr 2008 06:16:12 +0000 http://www.registan.net/index.php/2008/04/08/termez-where-the-t-is-for-transit/#comment-376762 There are rail gauge adapters in use in Europe. But they are a rather expensive affair. One must not allow the Hun to ride his railcars into your country without at least some engineering hassles. There was a stretch or railway from the King's crib in Kabul to some point a mile or so away. Strictly for entertainment purposes apparently. I see a rail link from Termez to Mazar as quite reasonable. It sure beats laying down rail over the Sierra Nevadas. But i'm sure some DoD contractor has an idea on how to make it as expensive and faulty as possible. There are rail gauge adapters in use in Europe. But they are a rather expensive affair. One must not allow the Hun to ride his railcars into your country without at least some engineering hassles.

There was a stretch or railway from the King’s crib in Kabul to some point a mile or so away. Strictly for entertainment purposes apparently.

I see a rail link from Termez to Mazar as quite reasonable. It sure beats laying down rail over the Sierra Nevadas. But i’m sure some DoD contractor has an idea on how to make it as expensive and faulty as possible.

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