Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Philadelphia Inquirer
April 29, 2008 Officials said three died trying to kill him, but the gunmen likely got help from others.
By Amir Shah, Associated Press
KABUL, Afghanistan -- Afghan security officials hunted yesterday for suspects in the attempted assassination of President Hamid Karzai during an attack that killed three people and underscored the fragility of his U.S.-backed government.
Extremists also wounded eight people when they fired rockets and automatic rifles at Karzai and other dignitaries during a Sunday ceremony in Kabul to mark the mujaheddin victory over the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.
The Taliban took responsibility for the assault, which sent Karzai and foreign ambassadors scurrying for cover. Three attackers were killed, the government said, but the Taliban said additional attackers were involved.
Sunday's strike launched so close to Karzai was a serious security lapse at a time when the Afghan police and army are expanding and the government is demanding greater control of security, still provided in much of the country by U.S. and NATO-led forces.
The U.N. Security Council strongly condemned the attack, saying no terrorist act can reverse the path toward peace and democracy in Afghanistan.
'Reprehensible act' The council said the Taliban's claim of responsibility "underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism to justice."
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the attack showed Karzai's administration is under a strong threat.
Gen. Mohammad Zahir Azimi, a spokesman for the Defense Ministry, said authorities were investigating who could have helped the assailants perpetrate the attack.
The gunfire apparently came from a three-story guesthouse 300 yards from the stands where Karzai was seated alongside cabinet ministers and senior diplomats, who all escaped unharmed.
Residents said a 30-minute gun battle broke out between security forces and gunmen holed up in the guesthouse.
Suicide vests Yesterday, Afghan troops were deployed in parts of the city where government officials and foreigners live, while investigators still focused on the area where the attack was launched.
Lawmaker Fazel Rahman Samkanai, who was about 30 yards from the president, was killed. Nasir Ahmad Latefi, a local Shiite leader, and a 10-year boy also died.
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujaheed said six militants were sent to target the president, and three died. He said they had guns, rockets and suicide vests, though no suicide bombings were reported.
The initial moments of the attack, which came as a band played the national anthem, were broadcast live until TV transmissions were cut. Hundreds of dignitaries could be seen diving for cover.
Less than two hours later, Karzai appeared on state-run TV and said: "Everything is OK." Appearing calm and smiling, Karzai said "the enemy of Afghanistan" tried to disrupt the ceremony but was thwarted. He said several suspects were arrested.
April 29, 2008 Officials said three died trying to kill him, but the gunmen likely got help from others.
By Amir Shah, Associated Press
KABUL, Afghanistan -- Afghan security officials hunted yesterday for suspects in the attempted assassination of President Hamid Karzai during an attack that killed three people and underscored the fragility of his U.S.-backed government.
Extremists also wounded eight people when they fired rockets and automatic rifles at Karzai and other dignitaries during a Sunday ceremony in Kabul to mark the mujaheddin victory over the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.
The Taliban took responsibility for the assault, which sent Karzai and foreign ambassadors scurrying for cover. Three attackers were killed, the government said, but the Taliban said additional attackers were involved.
Sunday's strike launched so close to Karzai was a serious security lapse at a time when the Afghan police and army are expanding and the government is demanding greater control of security, still provided in much of the country by U.S. and NATO-led forces.
The U.N. Security Council strongly condemned the attack, saying no terrorist act can reverse the path toward peace and democracy in Afghanistan.
'Reprehensible act' The council said the Taliban's claim of responsibility "underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism to justice."
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the attack showed Karzai's administration is under a strong threat.
Gen. Mohammad Zahir Azimi, a spokesman for the Defense Ministry, said authorities were investigating who could have helped the assailants perpetrate the attack.
The gunfire apparently came from a three-story guesthouse 300 yards from the stands where Karzai was seated alongside cabinet ministers and senior diplomats, who all escaped unharmed.
Residents said a 30-minute gun battle broke out between security forces and gunmen holed up in the guesthouse.
Suicide vests Yesterday, Afghan troops were deployed in parts of the city where government officials and foreigners live, while investigators still focused on the area where the attack was launched.
Lawmaker Fazel Rahman Samkanai, who was about 30 yards from the president, was killed. Nasir Ahmad Latefi, a local Shiite leader, and a 10-year boy also died.
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujaheed said six militants were sent to target the president, and three died. He said they had guns, rockets and suicide vests, though no suicide bombings were reported.
The initial moments of the attack, which came as a band played the national anthem, were broadcast live until TV transmissions were cut. Hundreds of dignitaries could be seen diving for cover.
Less than two hours later, Karzai appeared on state-run TV and said: "Everything is OK." Appearing calm and smiling, Karzai said "the enemy of Afghanistan" tried to disrupt the ceremony but was thwarted. He said several suspects were arrested.