UN pulls out of Herat. In fact all international agencies. Herat is the main city in the West of Afghanistan on the boarder with Iran. The warlord who controls it is Ismail Khan. The smuggling trade is very luctative. Recently Khazai (president) asked Ismail Khan to come to Kabul and become Minister of Mines and then appointed another governor of Herat. Locals demonstrated and it turned violent today. The national army have shot about 7 demonstrators and the demonstrators have butnt UN offices and the Indian Consolate. All international staff are being evacuated and many are at this moment waiting at the airport. Does not look good for the elections in the west of Afghanistan.

It will be interesting how much coverage this gets in the British press. Let me know. It would be good to know what news you are getting.