The elections in Afghanistan seem certain to be delayed for a second time, dealing a damaging blow to President George Bush's own election campaign.
The delay comes amid growing concern about the security of the election process after the killing on Thursday of 11 Chinese construction workers.
It is now impossible for the election to be held legally in September, the date for which both the interim government of President Hamid Karzai and the United Nations were aiming, itself a delay from the intended June polling day. It is understood that the new date is likely to be around October 5.
It has also emerged that not a single dollar pledged to pay for the elections has been given by donor countries, including members of the EU and the US.
The delay comes amid growing concern about the security of the election process after the killing on Thursday of 11 Chinese construction workers.
It is now impossible for the election to be held legally in September, the date for which both the interim government of President Hamid Karzai and the United Nations were aiming, itself a delay from the intended June polling day. It is understood that the new date is likely to be around October 5.
It has also emerged that not a single dollar pledged to pay for the elections has been given by donor countries, including members of the EU and the US.
