NATO apologizes for Afghan civilian deaths

[CHIMO]

NATO apologizes for Afghan civilian deaths
Last Updated: Saturday, October 28, 2006 | 7:04 PM ET
CBC News


NATO's supreme allied commander of Europe apologized Saturday for the deaths of civilians in heavy fighting with Taliban forces in southern Afghanistan earlier this week.

The deaths occurred Tuesday when British NATO soldiers called in air and artillery strikes during fighting with Taliban in Panjwai district, near Kandahar. NATO says it has confirmed 12 civilian deaths, along with dozens of Taliban fighters. Afghan officials say most of those who died in the aerial and artillery bombardments were civilians.

But Gen James Jones, at the end of a three day visit to Afghanistan, said Taliban insurgents used villagers as cover during the attacks and in the "heat of battle," it can be difficult for NATO forces to separate civilians from fighters.

"That innocent people were wounded or killed is to be regretted and investigated," he said. "I personally apologize for the incident, for any loss of life, and I expressed my concern to President this morning."

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2006/10/28/afghanistan-na...

At least 60 civilians killed in NATO operation: Afghan officials
Last Updated: Thursday, October 26, 2006 | 8:14 PM ET
CBC News

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2006/10/26/civilian-death...

[IndianaGreen]

1. NATO cares more about playing with human skulls than it does

about the innocent civilians it has been butchering in Afghanistan.

[CHIMO]

2. Pressure Grows on Berlin After New Afghan Skull Photos Appear

A German newspaper on Saturday published more photographs showing soldiers posing with human skulls and bones in Afghanistan as pressure mounted on the government to find the culprits.

In one of the new photos, a soldier is pointing a gun at a human skeleton, in another a beret has been perched on top of a skull. One of the pictures shows bones positioned on the ground around four skulls to form the words CSR TEAM. The newspaper said CSR was an abbreviation of the military term Campsite Reconnaissance.

The defense ministry has insisted that taking macabre photographs is not widespread.

But soldiers told Bild it was a common way for the 2,800 Germans serving in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan to pass the time in between their peacekeeping and reconstruction activities.

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,2217476,00.htm...

Seems like swift justice will occur. And perhaps a reconsideration of the objective.