COALITION CONVOY HIT BY ROADSIDE BOMB

A Romanian soldier was killed and several other men were hurt when an armoured vehicle was destroyed by a roadside bomb yesterday just a few kilometres from the coalition base in Kandahar.

Canadian soldiers travelling in the convoy provided emergency medical aid.
"An intervention team specialized in demining was sent on the scene to assist the troops," said a Romanian defence official. "Three of the injured soldiers are in stable condition at the base hospital in Kandahar."

A fourth soldier was in critical condition and may be transferred to a hospital in Germany.
The troops were from 341st Infantry battalion, a unit that provides perimeter security for the massive base.

One of the other injured men was an Afghan interpreter working for the coalition. He suffered head and eye injuries and was in stable condition in hospital.

The interpreter force has been hit hard over the past month. Five "Terps" were killed in a bomb blast in Kandahar City last Thursday.

Another interpreter lost both his legs May 25 when the Canadian Forces G-Wagon he was travelling in was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade.

Two Canadian soldiers in an armoured jeep that was part of the convoy helped secure the area after the explosions.

"They provided first aid and security," said Capt. Julie Roberge, spokesman for the international brigade. "They were the second vehicle in the convoy. But they are OK."

The Taliban attack came as coalition forces, including Canadians, continued Operation Mountain Thrust in the northern sector of southern Afghanistan.

About 7,000 coalition combat troops are operating in a huge area that includes Kandahar, Helmand, Zabul and Uruzgan provinces. They include American, British, Dutch and soldiers from other countries.

So far in the campaign there have been no major clashes with Taliban forces, said Col. Chris Vernon, chief of staff of the brigade.

However, there have been minor contacts with insurgents every day, he said.
"The initial operations and movements are going to plan," said Vernon. "But it is far too early to measure if it has had a significant impact at this stage."

Afghan and coalition forces reported killing five insurgents Monday in Helmand province.
Vernon said the intent of the operation is to extend the rule of law in remote rural areas. He warned that people in coalition countries should not expect quick results.

"This is not a war, it is a counter-insurgency," he said. "These are long struggles. They are not quick-fix military operations."

Vernon said media reports that suggest Kandahar City could be hit by a major Taliban offensive are not accurate.

He said the economy in the provincial capital is doing very well, thanks in part to the presence of the international coalition.

PUBLICATION: The Edmonton Sun
DATE: 2006.06.21

SOURCE: BY JOHN COTTER, CP