By PAISLEY DODDS, Associated Press Writer

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - U.N. workers are facing a new challenge in their battle to eradicate polio ( news - web sites) from Afghanistan ( news - web sites) — convincing villagers in remote high risk areas that the campaign isn't a sterilization plot hatched by Western "infidels."

Although workers have successfully reduced the number of polio cases in Afghanistan — only two have been reported this year compared to 11 last year — suspicion of Westerners is making it difficult to convince some parents to have their children immunized, aid workers say.

"This vaccine weakens the reproductive system of men and women," said Haji Abdul Nadir, a 47-year-old businessman in Kandahar. "The majority of the people think it's a campaign from the infidels. They're trying to stop the Muslim generation."

Resistance to the immunization campaign appears to be concentrated in areas isolated from public education campaigns. Although some countries have eradicated polio, the crippling disease continues in Afghanistan, an impoverished land with an unforgiving landscape of endless deserts, rocky mountains and landmine-studded roads and trails that it difficult to reach isolated settlements.

Although among the world's most hospitable peoples, Afghans have a long tradition resisting what they consider foreign interference or domination, most notably against the Soviets in the 1980s war.

Some aid workers say the suspicion of Westerners has risen because of botched U.S. military operations, including a July 1 airstrike in Uruzgan province, which have caused civilian casualties.

"In remote areas where there is no radio or where there have been recent military goof-ups, people are more likely to group all foreigners into one category — infidels," said Douglas G. Higgins, a program officer for UNICEF ( news - web sites), which is coordinating the immunization campaign.

"Some don't want their children to become immunized because they think the campaign is brought by the infidels as part of a male sterilization campaign. Others think their children will become naughty. Eventually we make them understand, but it is a time consuming process."

As an effort to reach high risk districts in southern Afghanistan, UNICEF coordinated a three-day "mop-up" immunization campaign, which concluded Thursday. Workers were able to reach an estimated 85,000 children under 5. Another campaign is set to begin in September.

"It's true that monitors have reported that some people don't want to participate in the immunizations in rural areas because of everything that's been happening," said UNICEF worker Marie Vidal, referring to military operations. "But because we have a strong education campaign in the city, I haven't experienced this."

U.S. forces say the July 1 raid was prompted by enemy fire and, while admitting civilians were likely killed, have disputed Afghan figures that put to the toll at 48.

But other incidents have also made Afghans wary. On May 23, a raid by U.S. forces in the remote village of Band Taimore left a tribal elder and 3-year-old girl dead. She apparently died while hiding in a well.

"We're not armed, so often when we go to these remote villages we have to make them see that we're from the United Nations ( news - web sites)," Higgins said. "Often, the only defense that we have are these," he says pointing to the circular UNICEF emblem on his beige vest.

The southern part of Afghanistan has been particularly hard-hit by polio and other diseases because of its harsh geography and high numbers of refugees. Out of the 11 polio cases last year, nine came from the southern provinces.

"Doctors tell me it's a good thing and I believe it," said 25-year-old Rangeena of Kandahar, who only uses one name, as her two children Asil Ahmed, 1 1/2 years old and Sameer Ahmed, 3-years-old, received two drops of the orange-colored vaccine Thursday outside their adobe house.

UNICEF workers keep track of the children vaccinated by writing the number in chalk outside the home. Below that number, they write the total number of children in the household.

"I don't want my children to be sick," said Rangeena. "I want this help."