Afghanistan's landmark vote darkened by 957 killings

[r_u_stuck2]

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - The killing in Afghanistan spirals onward, undermining U.S. claims of success in pacifying the country with less than a week to go before an historic experiment with democracy - direct presidential elections.


The number of dead was drawn from a review of hundreds of daily stories by The Associated Press since January 1. The actual toll is believed to be significantly higher, since many killings in remote areas are not reported.

"Nobody relishes figures like that," said Maj. Gen. Eric Olson, the No. 2 American commander in Afghanistan. "I think we've only just begun in terms of a permanent and lasting secure environment in Afghanistan."


Meanwhile, a government offer of amnesty to former Taliban willing to end their resistance has seen hundreds of former fighters released from Afghan jails but has failed to produce any obvious political gains.

http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?ts=1&display=rednews/2004/10/04/build/world/30-afghanistan-vote.inc

[Moderator]

1. Duplicate

same article, different headline.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=881401