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Chief Minister (5k+ posts)
In the latest twist of events, Afghan President Hamid Karzai urged foreign troops to get out of Afghanistan and to take their fight across the border in Pakistan. Karzai made these comments, while visiting families of civilians killed in Asadabad, the capital of Eastern Kunar Province.
The comments come on the heel of a visit of U.S. Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates and the killing of 9 Afghan boys, who were gathering firewood, by a NATO air attack. Karzai's cousin has reportedly also been killed during a night raid by US Special Forces in Kandahar Province.
Robert Gates, during his visit has apologized to the Afghan President, as did General David Petraeus right after the incident. NATO has been responsible for 26% of all civilian deaths in Afghanistan. The remainder have been killed by the Taliban with Improvised Explosive Devices and roadside bombs.
Karzai said that Afghans are tolerant people, but their tolerance has run out. There seems to be wholesale support by the population, which was seen during recent interviews on Canda's Global National last night.
Karzai emphasized that the militants that NATO was after, were in fact not in Afghanistan, but hiding in neighbouring Pakistan. The Obama Administration has increased drone attacks into neighbouring Pakistan, mostly into the tribal areas.
While NATO has blamed the civilian deaths on miscommunication, Karzai faces major problems if the killing of civilians does not come to an end. Mistaken deaths occur far too often. While thoses deaths are inivestigated by NATO, it is not known what measures are taking to prevent them.
The UN Mission in Afghanistan has reported a 15% increase in civilian deaths, making the total figure for 2009 , 3000 war releated deaths. Approximately a quarter are attributed to NATO.
There has been no reponse to this latest demand by President Karzai by NATO leaders or a direct response by ISAF.
General Petraeus issued a tactical directive last year where he called on forces to step up their efforts to minimise civilian casualties, adding: "Every Afghan civilian death diminishes our cause."
Needless to say the frequency of errors is unacceptable and NATO must do a lot more to prevent civilian deaths. With 20 year olds manning lethal weapons the results are predictable. Winning the "Hearts and Minds" will require reigning in and a tougher approach on those killing civilians, especially the gung ho cowboys.
http://www.allvoices.com/contribute...-nato-get-out-and-take-your-fight-to-pakistan
The comments come on the heel of a visit of U.S. Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates and the killing of 9 Afghan boys, who were gathering firewood, by a NATO air attack. Karzai's cousin has reportedly also been killed during a night raid by US Special Forces in Kandahar Province.
Robert Gates, during his visit has apologized to the Afghan President, as did General David Petraeus right after the incident. NATO has been responsible for 26% of all civilian deaths in Afghanistan. The remainder have been killed by the Taliban with Improvised Explosive Devices and roadside bombs.
Karzai said that Afghans are tolerant people, but their tolerance has run out. There seems to be wholesale support by the population, which was seen during recent interviews on Canda's Global National last night.
Karzai emphasized that the militants that NATO was after, were in fact not in Afghanistan, but hiding in neighbouring Pakistan. The Obama Administration has increased drone attacks into neighbouring Pakistan, mostly into the tribal areas.
While NATO has blamed the civilian deaths on miscommunication, Karzai faces major problems if the killing of civilians does not come to an end. Mistaken deaths occur far too often. While thoses deaths are inivestigated by NATO, it is not known what measures are taking to prevent them.
The UN Mission in Afghanistan has reported a 15% increase in civilian deaths, making the total figure for 2009 , 3000 war releated deaths. Approximately a quarter are attributed to NATO.
There has been no reponse to this latest demand by President Karzai by NATO leaders or a direct response by ISAF.
General Petraeus issued a tactical directive last year where he called on forces to step up their efforts to minimise civilian casualties, adding: "Every Afghan civilian death diminishes our cause."
Needless to say the frequency of errors is unacceptable and NATO must do a lot more to prevent civilian deaths. With 20 year olds manning lethal weapons the results are predictable. Winning the "Hearts and Minds" will require reigning in and a tougher approach on those killing civilians, especially the gung ho cowboys.
http://www.allvoices.com/contribute...-nato-get-out-and-take-your-fight-to-pakistan
