AFGHANISTAN TALIBAN ATTACK U S CONSULATE

   United States and Afghan forces have fought off an attack by Taliban insurgents on the U S consulate in the western city of Herat.
   The Taliban insurgents said they carried out the attack which began with a huge blast at the compound gates, sparking a gun battle near consulate buildings.
   This attack carried out in the shadow of the 9/11 anniversary is a demonstration of the ability of insurgents still to disrupt Afghanistan 12 years after the U S toppled the Taliban.