(21 Feb 2003)

(Night Shots)
1. Plane coming in to land
2. Plane taxiing on runway
3. Airport security vehicle on the runway
4. Plane being unloaded
5. Another plane coming in to land
6. Plane on tarmac
7. Soldiers walking on the airfield
8. Pull out, plane being taxied backwards
9. Mid shot of plane being unloaded
10. Wide shot of plane on runway
11. Car at security gate at airport
12. Soldier patrolling outside airport
13. Car going through checkpoint at airport

STORYLINE:

Four US military transport planes landed near Romania's Black Sea coast on Thursday night, airport officials confirmed, and seven more are expected during the night.

The planes landed at Constanta's international airport, 250 kilometers (155 miles) east of Bucharest. They carried 250 troops, equipment and food, and are expected to remain in Romania until Monday, said Alexandru Bazdac, an airport official in Constanta.

The US troops were accommodated in a hotel near the Constanta airport and in two Romanian military bases near the airport.

Romanian military police troops stepped up security measures, sealing off the airport area.

Last week, Romania agreed to let the United States use its airports and airspace in a possible military strike against Iraq. Dozens of US experts are in Romania to evaluate the country's military infrastructure, including the airport in Constanta, as well as military hospitals and emergency services in the region.

The decision to land in Romania comes after the US military had to delay its deployment in Turkey because negotiations over a financial package to compensate Turkey for economic losses from a possible war in Iraq are taking longer than expected.

The former Soviet-bloc country is not expected to become a major operational base for US troops in a possible war with Iraq.

Romania, which received an invitation to join NATO last November, will also contribute to a US-led coalition with 278 non-combat troops, including those specialising in nuclear, biological and chemical decontamination, de-mining, and military police and medical assistance.

Romania was under communist rule until 1989 and is keen to show itself a reliable ally of Washington.

The Balkan country has recently come in conflict with some of its European allies over its pro-US stance, with French president Jacques Chirac warning Romania and other eastern countries that their future in the European Union may be in danger.

Romania hopes to join the EU by 2007.

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