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Ignoring UNAMA, Taliban Threaten Afghan Elections Again

Ayesha Tanzeem

   ISLAMABAD - As Afghanistan prepares for presidential elections on
   Saturday, the Taliban is again threatening to disrupt the polling,
   while the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has urged the
   insurgents to refrain from attacking civilians exercising their
   democratic right.

   "The Islamic Emirate (a name used by the Taliban) directs its
   Mujahideen to prevent this process throughout the country by making use
   of everything at their disposal and activate their plans for its
   neutralization," a Taliban statement read.

   The statement said Afghans should stay home or risk being harmed in an
   attack.

   Tadamichi Yamamoto, the U.N. secretary-general's special representative
   for Afghanistan, met with some members of the Taliban on Tuesday in
   Doha, where they maintain an unofficial political office, to discuss
   the issue of election-related violence.

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