Afghans will help plan, execute joint missions

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Afghans will help plan, execute joint missions
By Joseph Giordono, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Saturday, February 14, 2009

The Afghan Defense Minister and Gen. David McKiernan, commander of U.S. Forces Afghanistan, have agreed to several measures meant to reduce the number of civilian casualties caused by coalition military operations.

Among the measures, announced Friday, are increased Afghan oversight in planning of missions — particularly night operations and those that take place in populated areas.

"There will be better coordination to minimize risk of civilian casualties and ensure Afghans search Afghan homes and conduct arrest operations," a U.S. Forces Afghanistan statement read. "Maintaining the support of the Afghan people is essential to defeating the terrorists."

Civilian casualties have become a major point of contention with the Afghan government and people.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who has himself faced increased criticism from Western military and political leaders, has said the killing of civilians "strengthens the terrorists."


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=60708