Soldiers buy Afghan goods

BAGRAM, Afghanistan -- By Afghan standards, Abdul Matin is a very rich man. His shop -- the Snow Leopard -- is doing a booming trade at Bagram air base selling burqas, fur coats, jewelry and trinkets to American, British and other coalition forces.

But like the endangered species it takes its name from, the Snow Leopard's days are numbered.

U.S. military police have posted a sign outside the shop at the air base: SNOW LEOPARD TO CLOSE IN TWO WEEKS."

The shop -- the only colorful spot on the desolate, dust-covered air base -- was opened without permission from the United States, said Col. Roger King, a spokesman for U.S. forces in Bagram.

Business had been good for Matin, who sells about $400 to $500 worth of souvenirs per day -- a fortune in this impoverished country. Troops have been flocking to the shop to buy gifts before the Afghans are evicted.

"I might buy some burqas or something for my mom and dad," said Spc. Randy Bagley, 21, from Fayetteville, N.C.

Burqas -- the blue or pink head-to-toe gowns women were forced to wear under the Taliban -- are the biggest sellers, said Wais Wahidy, who works at the shop and translates for the owner. They go for $10.

Mink and fox fur coats are available for about $130, and snow leopard hats are available for about $20 to $30. Conservationists estimate that there are less than 100 snow leopards left in Afghanistan's mountains.