Source: Press TV

The Kurdistan Regional Government has allocated 1,500 acres of land near Iran's border for the construction of a large US-financed airport.

The airport is to be built in a town called Halabja situated about 11 kilometers from the Iranian border in the northern Iraqi province of Sulaimaniyah, our Press TV correspondent reported from Irbil on Monday.

This is while most political analysts and economists believe that the location is unsuitable, because a small town like Halabja does not need such a large airport, particularly one so close to the border.

Speculations are that by financing the construction of an airfield much larger than just a civilian airport, the US wants to establish an airbase close to the Iranian border for its forces.

Iraqi Political Analyst Masud Abdulkhaliq says the construction of a civilian airport near the border raises many doubts, because of its size and location.

"The airport is very large and Halabja is a small town. It doesn't need to build a big airport like this in an area that is near the border," Abdulkhaliq told Press TV.

Another Iraqi political and social analyst Muhammad Bazyani also says that constructing an airport near the border 'raises doubts in people's minds'.

"So far we have not heard that the airport may be used as an air base, but the problem is that till now the name of the company and the contractor to construct the airport have not been disclosed," Abdulkhaliq said.

... Payvand News - 08/26/08 ...

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