UN head urges fewer civilian deaths in Afghanistan

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Feb 4, 5:44 AM EST
UN head urges fewer civilian deaths in Afghanistan
By FISNIK ABRASHI
Associated Press Writer

KABUL (AP) -- The U.N. chief urged U.S. and NATO-led forces in Afghanistan on Wednesday to prevent civilian casualties in their operations, echoing concerns of President Hamid Karzai who has increasingly voiced his anger over the issue.

Hundreds of Afghan civilians have died in attacks by the Taliban - but also in operations by U.S. and NATO forces fighting the insurgents.

Speaking alongside U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon - whose trip to Kabul was unannounced - Karzai said he has publicly complained over civilian casualties in order to pressure U.S.-led forces into changing their tactics.

Ban said he shared Karzai's concerns, calling for closer civilian-military cooperation and urging foreign troops to ensure that civilians are not killed. He said there have been "many tragic incidents."

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_AFGHANISTAN?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2009-02-04-05-44-32

[angelmask]

1. Book with a different view.

Fewer casualties! Great idea. Glad someone finally thought of that.

For a more complete report on the goofiness that is a modern military operation, check out "Don't Clean The Tables With a Floor Mop," a new book written by a Naval officer who spent a year mentoring the ANA.


(Here's the link in case one above doesn't work. You can also just type title into Amazon yourself.)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1440493987?tag=hubp0448-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1440493987&adid=07Z2J73PK8KY114HMJNV&