U.N. Office in Afghanistan Is Bombed

A series of bombs went off at a U.N. voter registration office in western Afghanistan, injuring six policemen and drawing union calls Friday for the world body to consider withdrawing staff from the country.

The U.N. staff union urged a security review and revamped safety measures for Afghanistan-based personnel.

“As we approach the election time, more than likely attacks will intensify,” said Guy Candusso, a union vice president. “We think the U.N. should consider suspending operations and rethink security before moving into the next critical phase of the election process.”

Afghan voters are scheduled to elect a president Oct. 9.

In the latest in a string of attacks targeting election workers, a series of bombs went off Thursday at a U.N. voter registration office in Farah, in western Afghanistan, police and the United Nations said.

Besides the injuries, vehicles were set ablaze and windows were shattered. Police have detained four security guards, two Afghans working for the United Nations and a U.N. security guard. It was not clear who was behind the attack.

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said this week that violence had increasingly been aimed at U.N. staff and offices in Afghanistan.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric, asked about a possible withdrawal from Afghanistan, said a U.N. security assessment mission recently returned from the country with recommendations that were being implemented.

“The overall security in Afghanistan is in the process of being upgraded, both on a management and operational level,” he said.

Militants loyal to the deposed Taliban regime have been blamed for attacks on workers preparing for the nation’s first presidential vote. Scores of workers and civilians have died.