Cheney Escapes Harm

BAGRAM, Afghanistan (AP) - A suicide bomber on foot killed and wounded some two dozen people outside the main American military base in Afghanistan on Tuesday during a visit by Vice President Cheney, officials said. The Taliban claimed responsibility and said Mr, Cheney was the target.

The blast happened near the first of several security gates outside the base at Bagram, north of the capital Kabul. Mr. Cheney's spokeswoman said he was fine, and the American Embassy said the vice president later met with President Hamid Karzai in Kabul.

There were conflicting reports on the death toll. Provincial Gov. Abdul Jabar Taqwa said 20 people were killed, but NATO said initial reports indicated only three were killed, including one American soldier and 1 coalition soldier. NATO said 23 were wounded. It was unclear why there was such a large discrepancy in the reports.