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Afghanistan/South Asia
UN preparing to flee Afghanistan
2005-09-05
Some UN agencies have urged nonessential staff to flee leave Afghanistan ahead of legislative elections this month, while the government warned that the Taliban are targeting aid workers, after a string of assaults on foreigners.

More than 1,100 people have been killed in the past six months, and US military commanders believe the violence may still worsen as rebels step up attacks to subvert the Sept. 18 elections, the next key step toward democracy after a quarter century of fighting.

UN spokesman Adrian Edwards told The Associated Press that some of the world body's agencies had urged some employees to run away take vacation during the elections because of fears of violence, though he noted that there had been no change so far in the official UN alert level. "The United Nations continues to monitor the security situation from Cyprus ," he said.

Emma Sutcliffe, a UN Development Program communications associate, said: "We have been encouraged to take R&R (rest and recreation), but it's not mandatory."

"For those who remain behind, there'll be cowering in the hotel bar minimal movement," she said.

Some other UN agencies though, including the World Food Program and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said they had not increased their security precautions.

US embassy spokesman Lou Fintor said there had also been no change in the security status at the heavily guarded mission, though he said: "We are constantly assessing the threat situation."

News that some UN staff were being encouraged to leave came after Interior Ministry spokesman Latfullah Mashal warned of more attacks. "They (militants) focus on soft targets attacking candidates, burning schools, aid workers," he told the AP. "But the security workers have also taken necessary measures to provide needed security." He said he was optimistic that the elections would be successful even though "al-Qaeda and the Taliban will try their best to disrupt peace and stability."
Posted by:Dan Darling

#5  "For those who remain behind, there'll be minimal movement," she said.
UN speak for scared shitless.
Posted by: Deacon Blues   2005-09-05 16:08  

#4  "For those who remain behind, there'll be minimal movement," she said.

OD: cammo panties on head.

Posted by: Red Dog   2005-09-05 10:01  

#3  Not enough kickbacks in Afghanistan, I guess.
Posted by: Jake-the-Peg   2005-09-05 06:04  

#2  CA---When are they going to flee New York? I think that all it will take is having them pay their parking tickets.
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2005-09-05 01:59  

#1  Good riddance. UN ain't worth a shit anyhow.
Posted by: Captain America   2005-09-05 01:54  

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