Kabul Holds its Breath

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REPORTING FROM KABUL

It's Wednesday the day before Presidential election and Kabul's streets are deserted. Yes it's Afghan Independence Day (1 of 4 independence days-a lot of history here)but Afghans really don't set this day aside as others do, the reason for the empty streets today can be linked to what is happening tomorrow.  In many ways everyone in the capital are simply waiting to see what happens as Afghans go to the polls tomorrow to elect a President.  The car bomb that was detonated yesterday at an Army checkpoint on the Jalalabad Road leading out of the city was followed by a gun battle near Massoud Circle today which is very close to the US Embassy. Everyone is waiting. The sky has been thick with US Army Blackhawk helicopters today as I watched them from my roof doing lazy circles around the city. Everyone is waiting. It was announced today no private cars will be allowed on the roads in Kabul-none. Only government, military and election related organizations will be allowed to drive on the streets of the capital city. Everyone is waiting. The polls open early tomorrow and it will prove to be a very long day for everyone as competing agendas of where this country will go have promised to be out in force. Everyone is waiting.