Washington, November 06: The United Nations is to evacuate hundreds of its foreign staff from Afghanistan because of spiralling violence, warning that it may permanently withdraw from the country unless the security situation improves.
In a move which will add to the sense of foreboding caused by insurgent attacks and political crisis, the organisation said that 600 of its 1,100 international employees would be moved abroad or to safer internal locations.
Some of the staff are expected to operate from Dubai, leading to concern from aid agencies that humanitarian projects will suffer. The decision comes at a time when Barack Obama is considering sending up to 40,000 more troops to a war rapidly becoming unpopular in the US and Europe. Questions are being asked about why Western troops should fight and die to prop up the government of Hamid Karzai, which has been internationally labelled corrupt.
–Agenices