21st September 2005

Loca Euro MP has braved Taliban and Al Qaeda terror threats to serve as an official European observer at last weekend's first parliamentary elections in Afghanistan.

Labour's Richard Howitt MEP had to be evacuated from a polling station where a violent demonstration had erupted, and was protected by ex-SAS guards carrying machine guns, as terrorists issued kidnap threats against any foreign national helping with the elections.

A Taliban rocket attack took place in the capital Kabul minutes from where the Euro MP was situated, whilst he also visited the region bordering Iran, where a British contractor had been kidnapped and killed days before.

Richard Howitt MEP said: "It was remarkable to see the courage and determination of the Afghan people to take part in the election, despite violent intimidation from the Taliban and foreign insurgents. It really was a victory for democracy over terrorism.

"We cannot afford to walk away from this country, which is at the heart of global terrorism, and produces 80% of the heroin on Europe's streets.

"I visited the British military headquarters and was deeply impressed by the bravery of our army, working alongside our European partners. While there I took part in a commemoration for nineteen dead Spanish soldiers, and a French commando was tragically killed while we were in the country."

Richard Howitt MEP continued: "The brightest sign of hope was represented by more than five hundred enthusiastic women candidates standing in the elections, just five years after the Taliban regime had confined women to their homes, forcing them to cover-up completely and with girls married off at the age of twelve.

"The first meeting when we arrived in the country briefed us of the risk of kidnapping, suicide bombers and attack by grenades and mortars. Although I think it is very important that the European Union does this work, I am very relieved to be home safely."

Richard Howitt MEP meeting Afghan President Hamid Kharzai, to whom he appealed for further action against warlords and ex-Taliban who had become election candidates.

• For more information please contact Brian Dawson in Richard Howitt MEP's office on 01223 240202 or 07763329723 (mobile) or Richard Howitt MEP direct on 07768 122888 (mobile).

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