Fear Keeps Afghan Candidates Off Streets

Fear of attacks by Taliban-led rebels kept many candidates off the streets Wednesday as Afghanistan began its campaign period for landmark Sept. 18 legislative elections, the country's next step toward democracy. ... ''Everyone is too scared to campaign here. The Taliban are threatening to kill anyone connected to the elections,'' said Gul Havid, police chief in Ata Ghar district of southern Zabul province, where militants and U.S. and Afghan forces have clashed frequently.