Bomb hits Afghan capital before talks on US deal

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http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_AFGHANISTAN?SITE=VANOV&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Bomb hits Afghan capital before talks on US deal
By KATHY GANNON and RAHIM FAIEZ
Associated Press
Nov 16, 7:54 AM EST

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- A suicide vehicle bomb tore through the Afghan capital Saturday, killing at least one soldier securing a site where thousands of elders are to gather next week to discuss a controversial security agreement with the United States, officials said.

Authorities said they expected casualties to rise from the powerful blast, which mangled a dozen cars and destroyed shops nearby. Ambulances raced away with dozens of wounded from the site. Police could be seen collecting body parts.

The explosion came just hours after President Hamid Karzai announced that U.S. and Afghan negotiators had finished a draft to be presented to the Loya Jirga, whom Kabul says must approve the document before Afghanistan signs it.

Another three soldiers were wounded when the explosive-laden vehicle rammed into their armored vehicle posted about 200 meters (yards) from the giant tent where the Loya Jirga is to be held, said Defense Min