Russia Warns Nato Of Blocking Air Space To Afghanistan

A German Bundeswehr army soldier of ISAF forces gives instructions to a Canadian air force C-130 aircraft before taking off from Feyzabad airfield, north of Kabul, September 18, 2008. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (AFGHANISTAN)

Russia envoy warns NATO on air space to Afghanistan
-- Yahoo News/Reuters

KABUL (Reuters) - Russia threatened to block NATO from using its air space for operations in Afghanistan if member states did not stop "hostile" policies toward Moscow, the Kremlin's top diplomat in Kabul said.

"(Russian air space) is still open, but if the NATO countries continue to their hostile policies with regard to Russia, definitely this issue will happen," Zamir Kabulov told BBC radio in an interview aired on Thursday.

NATO imports most of its logistics via Pakistan to Afghanistan, but also uses Russia's air space for some cargo.

The 26-member alliance upset Russia by saying its use of force in a brief war with Georgia last month was disproportionate. NATO has also said Georgia will eventually be allowed join the alliance. Russia is fiercely opposed to further NATO expansion.

NATO was not immediately available for comment.

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My Comment: The underlying message is that if you admit Georgia and The Ukraine into Nato, the air route to Afghanistan via Russia will now be blocked.