Powell touts 'Friendship Bridge' for Afghan aid

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan -- A bridge that is a crucial supply route into Afghanistan will reopen within days, Secretary of State Colin Powell and Uzbek President Islam Karimov announced Saturday.

Powell said he understood that the "Friendship Bridge" would open today, but Karimov indicated it might take a little longer.

The bridge has been closed since 1996. U.S. officials have long awaited its reopening to speed up the delivery of food and medical supplies into northern Afghanistan.

"This will ease the flow of humanitarian aid," Powell said.

The bridge could also provide a route for military supplies and, if necessary, troops. There are up to 1,500 U.S. troops stationed in this former Soviet republic.

"The opening of this bridge is very important from a political, economic and humanitarian standpoint," Karimov said.

At a joint news conference, Powell said "the president has confirmed the bridge will open tomorrow."

But Karimov said a state committee would meet today to work out technical matters, such as custom procedures. Sources in the Uzbekistan foreign ministry, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said it would likely be about a week before the span actually opens to traffic.

Powell aides, however, said Karimov left the clear impression in his meeting with Powell the bridge would open Sunday.

The bridge was built by the Soviets in 1986 to help them resupply their invasion forces inside Afghanistan. Later, they used it as an escape route. It has been closed since 1996.