Iran / Pakistan - Border closed?
 

This is the rumour I hear. Can anybody substantiate this?
I am supposed to leave in 1 week from Germany (Kiwi on German plates thankfully) to N.Z. on the usual eastern route. Monitoring events closely so mission may well be aborted and will probably have to be if the above is true.

Graeme

Iran has closed its border with Afghanistan, NOT Pakistan, at this time, to deter an influx of Afghan refugees into Iran.

"September 15, 2001 - TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- Iran ordered its border with Afghanistan closed Saturday amid concerns its neighbor could be the target of U.S. retaliation for Tuesday's terror attacks on New York and Washington.

The Islamic Republic News Agency reported that Iran would post additional military and police forces along its 562-mile (900-kilometer) border to prevent Afghan refugees from entering the country. "

Pakistan has also closed its border with Afghanistan, and is under a great deal of pressure to allow US troops and airplanes to use it to attack Afghanistan.

"September 19, 2001 - QUETTA, Pakistan (CNN) -- The United Nations said about 15,000 Afghan refugees fled to Pakistan in the past week. It sent 25 trucks loaded with 2,000 tents, 6,000 blankets and other supplies to Quetta, Pakistan, to help deal with the influx."

"Security forces are on alert across Pakistan amid rising tensions over the government's support for possible U.S. retaliation following the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.

Several militant Islamic groups in the country have pledged to wage jihad or holy war if the U.S. launches strikes against neighboring Afghanistan. "

"September 20, 2001 - BBC - Islamic militants in Pakistan have stepped up protests against President Pervez Musharraf's decision to support the United States in a possible strike on Afghanistan. Hundreds took to the streets of the north-western city of Peshawar chanting anti-US slogans and torching an effigy of President George W Bush."

Uzbekistan is talking to the US about using its country and airspace to support an attack on Afghanistan. So the whole area could be caught up in what CNN calls "America's New War".

An alternative route would normally be north through Eastern Europe and Russia, then Japan and south to Bangkok, but it is getting late in the year for such a trip.

Or you could decide to fly from Europe to east Africa and south instead, then fly from Africa to India or Thailand.

No good answers, I'm afraid. And either of the alternatives may be more costly than your original plan.

Good luck and keep in touch.

Susan Johnson

[This message has been edited by Susan (edited 20 September 2001).]

Yet another border closing with Afghanistan:

From the BBC website, September 20

"The Tajik President, Emomali Rahmonov, has said that his country's border with Afghanistan is closed to all refugees who may try to escape from any conflict.

He was speaking after close consultations with Moscow, whose troops defend the Tajik border.

It is yet another sign of how deeply involved Russia will be in any action which the US takes in response to last week's attacks on New York and Washington.

The Soviet Union may have collapsed 10 years ago, but as far as Moscow is concerned, the Tajik-Afghan border is Russia's frontline in its struggle with international terrorism.

Ten thousand Russian border guards defend the 1,400 kilometre-long frontier. "