Radio Free Europe

Afghanistan: One Romanian Soldier Killed, Another Wounded In Ambush

Bucharest, 11 November 2003 (RFE/RL) -- A Romanian soldier was killed and another wounded in an attack in southern Afghanistan today. The Defense Ministry in Bucharest said the soldiers were returning to their base in Kandahar when unidentified assailants opened fire on their convoy.

Romania has committed more than 500 personnel to Afghanistan, both to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Kabul, and to the U.S.-led force hunting down Taliban and Al-Qaeda fighters.

Also today, at least one Afghan was wounded when a car bomb exploded close to the UN compound in Kandahar.

A UN team that visited Afghanistan last week today told the UN Security Council that security problems in some areas continue to threaten the country's reconstruction efforts.

German Ambassador Gunter Pleuger, who led the team, said terror activities, factional fighting, and drug-related crime pose serious problems ahead of parliamentary elections set for next year.

Pleuger made it clear there is a continuous need for international security help in Afghanistan.