Salsa, karaoke nights scrapped as US eyes austere war

Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan: The US is cutting back on luxuries and distractions such as salsa and karaoke nights to free up space for troops fighting an increasingly violent eight-year war in Afghanistan.

Kandahar airfield is the main air transport hub for the US-led Nato mission in Afghanistan and is so cramped its sewage pool is almost overflowing. However, the plan to cut recreational facilities is causing a bigger stink.

"I think it's pretty disheartening for all the soldiers, taking away what little morale they have here," said US military driver Private First Class John Armstrong as he sipped gourmet coffee, one of several comforts that may be cut.

Command Sergeant Major Michael Hall, a senior adviser to General Stanley McChrystal, leader of US and international forces in Afghanistan, said he expected some people would be upset over reduced recreational facilities.

Kandahar airfield, which the US military shares with other Nato forces including Britain and France, can barely cope with the 20,000 soldiers and contractors already garrisoned there, and another 5,000 inhabitants are expected by mid-2010.

Salsa and karaoke nights have already been cut at Kandahar and fast-food restaurants closed at a base in Jalalabad.

However, the plan has critics among Nato allies who fear their recreational facilities may be swamped with US soldiers.