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UN Evacuates Afghan Staff

Hundreds pulled out after deadly Kabul attack

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 5, 2009 4:33 AM CST

(Newser) – The United Nations is pulling more than half of its 1,100 international staff in Afghanistan out of the country as the security situation deteriorates. Some of the 600 staffers would return after new security arrangements were made, while others will be permanently relocated, said a spokesman. Much of the UN's work in Afghanistan was suspended after attackers killed five of its staffers in Kabul last week.

The move is a blow to President Obama's counter-insurgency strategy, which calls for increased civilian assistance along with extra troops, notes Reuters. A UN spokesman said the organization was not about to abandon its projects in the country. "The United Nations has been in Afghanistan for half a century and we are not about to leave now," he said. "The Afghan people want us to stay."

An Afghan police officer,] looks on as UN  staffers leave a guest house with their belongings in Kabul, Afghanistan, last week.
An Afghan police officer,] looks on as UN staffers leave a guest house with their belongings in Kabul, Afghanistan, last week.   (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
A local UN staffer passes by a directional sign for a bunker at the headquarters of the UN mission in Kabul, Afghanistan, today.
A local UN staffer passes by a directional sign for a bunker at the headquarters of the UN mission in Kabul, Afghanistan, today.   (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)
A security guard stands guard as UN staff carry coffins containing bodies of UN workers killed when gunmen attacked a guest house last week.
A security guard stands guard as UN staff carry coffins containing bodies of UN workers killed when gunmen attacked a guest house last week.   (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Mia
Nov 5, 2009 12:31 PM CST
Just get out for goodness sake!

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