Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Friday wished the U.S.-led international military coalition success in stabilizing Afghanistan and offered the visiting Afghan leader help in modernizing his nation's economy, AP reported. Medvedev said after talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai that Russia is ready to help rebuild Soviet-built industrial facilities and infrastructure in Afghanistan and to train Afghan personnel. Medvedev voiced hope that the U.S.-led international military coalition would succeed in stabilizing Afghanistan to let Afghan forces take over responsibility for its security by 2014. «We wish them success in their mission,» he said at a news conference. «I hope it will benefit the Afghan people and the regional security.» Medvedev said that Moscow had contributed to international efforts to stabilize Afghanistan by allowing the United States and other NATO members to send supplies for its forces in Afghanistan via Russia. Asked whether he thinks that the U.S. and its allies had repeated some of the mistakes the Soviet Union made during its war in Afghanistan, Medvedev answered that «only those who do nothing don't make mistakes» and the detailed analysis of the coalition's action can only be done in the future. «Let's see what happens after 2014 when Afghanistan takes charge of its own security,» Medvedev said. «We expect that Afghanistan will be able to independently ensure its security and sovereignty, and Russia is ready to provide all possible assistance.» Karzai said that Afghanistan is looking forward to closer ties with Russia. «There has been a steady strengthening and improvement in our relations,» he said. Medvedev and Karzai also said in a statement that they consider fighting illegal drugs is a top priority. Afghanistan produces 90 percent of the world's opium, the raw ingredient used to make heroin. Russia, which has around 2 million opium and heroin addicts, has urged the U.S. military to take stronger action against Afghan drug labs. -- SPA
