New review ordered into Afghan civilian deaths

[unhappycamper]

New review ordered into Afghan civilian deaths
By Jason Straziuso - The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Sep 8, 2008 5:55:51 EDT

KABUL, Afghanistan — The U.S. military said Sunday that “new information” has emerged regarding allegations that American airstrikes killed scores of Afghan civilians, and that a senior military official would review the findings of an American investigation that found only up to seven civilians died.

The military did not say what new information had emerged, but Afghan and Western officials say Afghanistan’s intelligence agency and the United Nations both have videos of the aftermath of the bombing of Azizabad village that shows dozens of dead civilians.

An Afghan government commission has said 90 civilians, including 60 children and 15 women, died in the Aug. 22 bombings, a finding that the U.N. backed in its own initial report.

A U.S. investigation released last Tuesday said up to seven civilians and 35 militants were killed in the operation in Azizabad in the western province of Herat.

Even though the U.S. said Tuesday that its investigation was complete, the military appeared to leave open the possibility that photographs or video of the scene could emerge. American officials said privately that they were aware photographic evidence apparently existed, but that they did not have access to it.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/09/ap_civiliandeaths_afghanistan_090708/%2e