Greetings
Thanks for the welcome.
The link with the AWB is a good one, but I notice somewhat dated. However, having worked for over half a decade in Bishkek, where the US Army base in Kyrgyzstan is located, we have also observed millions of US dollars being paid in a government sanctioned manner that is known to head to individual bank accounts for the privilidge of using that base. Of course you are not responsible for how corrupt countries spend thier money, but bribes are a known way of doing business in such nations, and indeed possibly the only way. Only usually, the US government forces them to call it by a different name and 'legitimize' it for the home folk! I do not see it as morally any different, but rather someone was a bit lax in some paperwork. We hear about the US also being involved in the same scheme of aid for oil or food for oil. Again, we were right there with you!
Regarding the maintainance of ships, we have not even started on the mechanical side of things, where the lower tech russian vessels could well be in a much stronger position...
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