In attack's aftermath, UN envoy vows continued registration drive in Afghanistan

Following a brutal attack that left two female electoral workers dead in Afghanistan on Saturday, the top United Nations envoy to the country today pledged to press on with preparations for balloting in the war-ravaged country.

"We in the United Nations are committed to the continuation of the [voter] registration process," Jean Arnault told a news conference in Jalalabad. "We are committed to continuing to make every effort so that the electoral process will be successful in this province and in the country as a whole."

Mr. Arnault repeated his shock at the attack, which targeted women and injured young children, and his condemnation on behalf of the international community. "The outrage that is felt, all of us should show it now," he said. "We believe that everyone will agree to continue the process irrespective of what happens and make sure that we can have a good election in this country as soon as possible."

Pointing to the interlocking security concerns facing Afghanistan, he stressed the need to deal with the country's many ex-fighters. "We cannot separate elections from disarmament, demobilization and reintegration," he said.

Disarmament and elections "have to happen and we will continue to do everything we can so that both indeed happen at the same time," he added.

A UN spokesman in Kabul, meanwhile, reported that five of those injured in Saturday's incident had been evacuated to Bagram while two were evacuated to Kabul. Four additional victims remain in the hospital and the others were released.

"A teacher who met with Mr. Arnault this afternoon said, 'A hundred incidents will not stop us. We are with you - don't feel alone,'" Manoel de Almeida e Silva told reporters.

In total, over 5 million Afghans have registered to vote, more than a third of them women.