King of the Road
Friday, April 03, 2009
Uruzgan, in central Afghanistan is where the Dutch and Australian troops are based. Tarin Kowt the capitial of Uruzgan, in Afghanistan. We join a fuel convoy of 100 trucks going from Kandahar to Tarin Kowt. The fuel is bound for use by the Dutch, Aussie and US forces and without this volatile cargo their mission would be virtually impossible. The fuel is delivered by an Afghan company and security is provided by local 'Police Colonel' Matiullah Khan. Without his 2000 strong men guarding the road the Taliban would and do attack the convoy.
Local residents in Kandahar wait for anything up to 2 weeks for the convoy to take off and use it's hired protection to secure their own safe passage to Tarin Kowt. Besides the threat of attacks, commuter must battle with trucks turning over, getting bogged and struggling over rough roads. Our convoy was forced to spend the night in the side of the road as there is a no-driving after dark policy in the area. After a uncomfortable nights sleep in the cab of the truck we continued onto Tarin Kowt where we met Matiullah and his henchmen.
Stayed tuned to your TV sets and news papers for the full story.
KK
Local residents in Kandahar wait for anything up to 2 weeks for the convoy to take off and use it's hired protection to secure their own safe passage to Tarin Kowt. Besides the threat of attacks, commuter must battle with trucks turning over, getting bogged and struggling over rough roads. Our convoy was forced to spend the night in the side of the road as there is a no-driving after dark policy in the area. After a uncomfortable nights sleep in the cab of the truck we continued onto Tarin Kowt where we met Matiullah and his henchmen.
Stayed tuned to your TV sets and news papers for the full story.
KK
