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01/27/2005:

"Afghans, Iran Linked by New Road, Divided by U.S."

ISLAM QALA, Afghanistan (Reuters) - The presidents of Afghanistan and Iran opened a new road between their countries on Thursday amid hopes that an increase in trade would improve their uneasy relationship.

Tehran has been unsettled by Afghanistan's close ties to its arch foe the United States, its massive output of drugs and a recent report has even suggested that U.S. special forces have entered Iran from Afghanistan to search for nuclear sites.

Thousands of U.S.-led troops remain in Afghanistan, three years after they helped oust the Islamic fundamentalist Taliban regime from power for harboring Osama bin Laden, the architect of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on U.S. cities.

Still, all talk at the official opening of the 122-km (76-mile), $60-million road, paid for by Iran, was of brotherly ties and forging friendship. Most of Afghanistan's imports come through Iran, and the new, paved road should lead to a surge in trade.

``Afghanistan belongs to the people of Afghanistan and Iran desires a stable, modern and free Afghanistan,'' said Iranian President Mohammad Khatami.
Full Article: nytimes.com/reuters