Looks like the russians have arrived for the party. RUSSIANS UNEXPECTEDLY ARRIVE IN KABUL FULL STORY: http://cbc.ca/cgi-bin/view?/news/2001/11/27/russians011127 Last Updated: Tue Nov 27 22:16:38 2001 KABUL - While U.S. Marines were consolidating their bridgehead near Kandahar in southern Afghanistan, Russian troops unexpectedly arrived in Kabul. They set up camp on a piece of waste ground, and have so far refused to say what they're doing in the capital. Some sources said they are setting up a temporary embassy, others said a field hospital. But it looks like a military camp and many Afghans have bitter memories of the 10 years of Soviet occupation. "A few years ago they came here (to) Afghanistan and they fought with people. And they are very crude people. We don't like (them)," said one man. "Russians destroyed all of Afghanistan. Maybe they are now coming to help," said another. Given the Soviet occupation of this country in the 1980s, Russian soldiers may not be the ideal choice for a humanitarian mission. But Russia is a strong supporter of the Northern Alliance, which has been in power in Kabul for two weeks. Russia may be flexing its muscle as one of the regional powers in Afghanistan, or it may be keen to show that if Washington can put Marines in Kandahar, then Moscow can put troops in downtown Kabul. Written by CBC News Online staff Patrick Brown reports for CBC TV Runs 1:58 -- Joe Baptista http://www.dot-god.com/ The dot.GOD Registry, Limited