WAR: Election Workers Dead in Afghanistan Bombing

Two were killed in an explosion inside a mosque in Ghazni today, one was an election official. Two other election officials were seriously wounded in the attack. Initial reports stated 2 UN were killed but as of now appears not to be the case. Will update when news is available.



This comes as Afghanistan prepares for their presidential elections in October. The US led coalition freed the Afghans from the rule of the Taliban. The report goes on to describe aid-workers leaving the country citing weak protection for their workers from the Afghan government.

Recent Attack on Elections from ATSNN

ATSNN

AFGHANISTAN- Election process under siege
On 8 July, a woman was killed in a bomb attack on election workers in Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan. Seven Afghan soldiers and two Al-Qaida fighters were killed in clashes in the border areas of Farah and Herat provinces of Afghanistan. According to reports, Taliban chased some truck engineers into Azizabad, a border area of Herat and Farah provinces and came face to face with Afghan troops that resulted in an exchange of fire.

ATSNN

AFGHANISTAN � Rebels kill police chief
On 13 July, Taliban rebels killed a local police chief in an attack on government offices in the south of the country. At least three other security personnel were reported killed in the attack. The attack took place in the district of Miana Shien in the province of Kandahar. The Taliban have been targeting security personnel and election workers in the run up to the country�s presidential and parliamentary elections.

[edit on 7/28/04 by JacKatMtn]

[edit on 7-28-2004 by Valhall]

[edit on 7-29-2004 by Valhall]

NATO Press Release
(2004) 114
23 July 2004

The NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, is pleased to announce the decision by the North Atlantic Council to approve detailed military advice on ISAF support for the presidential elections, scheduled for 9 October 2004. This decision follows the declaration by NATO Heads of State and Government at the Istanbul Summit and implements NATO's decision to assist the Afghan authorities in providing security during the election period, within means and capabilities.

As requested by President Karzai, Afghan authorities will retain primary responsibility for security throughout the election process.
japan.usembassy.gov...

I fail to see how President Karzai will retain primary responsibility re: security after this atrocity.
Sanc'.