First train crosses bridge from Uzbekistan-Afghanistan, Dostum soundbite.

(16 Dec 2001)

TOKO MATERIAL
Uzbekistan side of bridge
1. Wide shot of Friendship Bridge entrance with Uzbek security guard in the foreground

Afghanistan side of bridge
2. Wide pan from Afghanistan to Uzbekistan across the Amu Darya River
3. Closed fence on the Afghani side (taken from the bridge)
4. "Welcome to Afghanistan" sign with Northern Alliance soldiers in the foreground

Hairaton, Afghanistan
5. Wide taken from Hairaton of aid train with banner reading "Aid from the People of Uzbekistan to the brotherly people of Afghanistan", Uzbek flag on top of train
6. General Dostum arriving
7. Cutaway Northern Alliance soldiers with guns
8. SOUNDBITE: (Uzbek) General Abdul Rashid Dostum, Northern Alliance Commander
"All the world is watching the events in northern Afghanistan and is helping us. For our part we undertake not to let terrorism ever return to this region."
9. Afghani soldiers hugging each other as train departs on bridge
10. Pull out to Afghani flag to train departing
11. Two American soldiers in camouflage uniforms
12. Wide train going off in the distance

STORYLINE:

The Friendship Bridge connecting Uzbekistan and Afghanistan has reopened for the first time since 1996, and the first train carrying much-needed humanitarian has crossed into Afghanistan.

The Friendship Bridge spans the Amu Darya River and links Termez, in Uzbekistan, to the Afghan town of Hairaton, about 65 kilometres (40 miles) from Mazar-e-Sharif, the largest city in northern Afghanistan.

The Soviet army built the bridge during its war with Afghanistan and used it to withdraw after its defeat against U-S-backed Afghan fighters 12 years ago.

The bridge had been closed since 1996, when the Taliban Islamic militia moved into the border area.

Uzbekistan feared Islamic extremists would use it to infiltrate Uzbekistan and foment revolution there.

The opening of the bridge on Sunday is expected to speed aid to Afghan refugees who are battling cold, hunger and disease.

The train, adorned with banners reading "From the Uzbek people to the Afghan people," carried 1-thousand tons of grain and flour from Uzbekistan and the United Nations.

Uzbekistan had been reluctant to reopen the bridge due to concerns about security, despite pressure from the United Nations and aid agencies.

The train was met on the Afghan side of the bridge by Afghan warlord Rashid Dostum, an ethnic Uzbek who rules in northern Afghanistan in the area around Mazar-e-Sharif.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/1d1b75e7f9ab74e1e3c8aacb1a59878f

Видео First train crosses bridge from Uzbekistan-Afghanistan, Dostum soundbite. канала AP Archive