KABUL, April 11 (Xinhuanet) -- The US military in Afghanistan is going to connect the post-war Afghanistan with Tajikistan by building a bridge over Oxus River, chief of US Army Corps of Engineers in Afghanistan said here on Monday.

    "We recently made to award a contract for the construction of the Afghanistan-Tajikistan Bridge spanning the Pyandzh River at Shir Khan in Kunduz province. This bridge will serve as a vital link connecting the central Asian region with outside markets," John B. O'Dowd told at a press conference.

    Kunduz in northeast Afghanistan has been serving as the base ofmore than 300 troops of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) over the past three years.

    The contract of the 28 million US dollars project was signed with the Italian firm Rizzani de Eccher S.P.A of Udine on March 21,he added.

    "This bridge will contribute to the economic development and integration of both nations. It will also inevitably contribute tothe long term peace and security of this region," said John.

    "We have requested nearly 800 million dollars for fiscal year 2005 and are pleased to show progress in effectively and efficiently awarding new projects to continue to improve the stability and living conditions in Afghanistan," the US officer said.   Enditem