U.S. lauds Russian overflights for ISAF

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Washington expressed its appreciation for Russia's agreement to allow material to pass through its territory in support of the effort in Afghanistan.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Undersecretary of State William Burns signed an agreement July 6 allowing the United States to transport military personnel and equipment across Russia to support coalition forces in Afghanistan.

Ian Kelly, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department, welcomed the inaugural flight of material passing through Russia on its way to support the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.

"It is a complement to our agreement on shipment of non-lethal supplies to ISAF across Russian territory that has been running smoothly for several months," he said.

The White House said in a statement in July the agreement permitted 4,500 flights per year, saving the U.S. government some $133 million in fuel each year.

Kelly praised the transit development as a valuable option to support U.S. and international troops in Afghanistan.

"Russia's agreement to allow the United States to transit lethal equipment across its territory in support of ISAF operations is an important contribution to our efforts to improve security and stability in Afghanistan," he said.