NATO supplies to Afghanistan via Tajikistan -Uzbekistan route: Harnitchek

Dushanbe, Feb 21 (ANI): The United States would be sending supplies to its troops stationed in Afghanistan through a new route via Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, a top US military leader has informed.

Rear Admiral Mark Harnitchek said Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have agreed to allow transit of non-lethal US supplies through their territory.

"Tajikistan has given its agreement to the use of its rail and automobile routes for the transit of non-lethal supplies to Afghanistan," The Dawn quoted Harnitchek, as saying.

"Washington plans to send 50 to 200 containers weekly from Uzbekistan into Tajikistan and then by land into neighbouring Afghanistan," Harnitchek said on the sidelines of meeting with Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi.

He said Tajikistan is very important from US's strategic point of view as it is closest to bases of allied forces in Afghanistan.

However, spokesperson of the US embassy here, Jackie McKennan said that no formal agreement has been signed between the countries.

"He (Harnitchek) is on a working visit, just reviewing the infrastructure. Nothing formal has been concluded till now," McKennan added.

She also declined to comment on whether Tashkent had approved the transit or not. (ANI)