DATE=8/19/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=AFGHAN VIOLENCE (S)

NUMBER=2-306629

BYLINE=MICHAEL KITCHEN

DATELINE=ISLAMABAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: At least seven policemen died in an attack as they were driving near the town of Kharwar, south of the capital Kabul. V-O-A's Michael Kitchen reports from Islamabad.

TEXT: Afghan officials say the attack was an ambush by fighters loyal to the former Taleban government. They struck in Logar province, situated between the Kabul district and violence-racked Paktia province.

The ambush, which happened Monday, is the third such attack on Afghan police in 48 hours. The attacks are thought to be the work of Taleban militants, as well as members of the al-Qaida network and forces loyal to renegade warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.

Afghanistan's foreign ministry spokesman Omar Samad thinks the recent rise in violence is linked to the coming loya jirga, or grand council, in October.

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You will see these elements of terror and destabilization attempt to undermine everything that has been achieved in Afghanistan.

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Over the past week, nearly one hundred people have been killed in a series of attacks in Afghanistan. (signed)

NEB/HK/MK/KPD/FC/MEM