[1] The attack occurred inside one of the security gates surrounding the heavily guarded base 60 km north of Kabul.

[2] Vice President Cheney was on the base at the time of the attack, having arrived in Afghanistan the previous day to meet with US Allies.

One US spokesman called them "far-fetched" and observed that "the vice president wasn't even supposed to be here overnight, so this would have been a surprise to everybody."

Another US spokesman, Lt. Col. David Accetta, reported that the attacker did not attempt to pass any of the U.S. security checkpoints, but instead detonated himself amongst a group of Afghans.

"[3] The bomber was at the first checkpoint when he detonated and the Associated Press was set up already with cameras filming the area on the main road.