Red Cross gives first aid lessons to Taliban

[panzerfaust]

Source: Guardian (UK)

The Red Cross in Afghanistan has been teaching the Taliban basic first aid and giving insurgents medical equipment so that fighters wounded during battles with Nato and Afghan government forces can be treated in the field, it was revealed today.

More than 70 members of the "armed opposition" received training in April, the Red Cross said ...

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it had introduced the classes because pitched battles, landmines and roadblocks stopped people in the most volatile areas from getting to hospital.

The Red Cross, which aims to remain neutral in the conflict, has trained more than 100 Afghan soldiers and policemen, as well as a network of taxi drivers who operate an unofficial ambulance service in Helmand and Kandahar provinces...


Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/may/25/red-cross-first-aid-taliban

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Yes & No I guess.

I admire the general principle, but have trouble with the specific instance.



Bluntly, the Red Cross is giving direct aid to those who are killing our soldiers.

[rucky]

1. Everybody should know First Aid. n/t

[leftynyc]

9. The Red Cross

are comprised of much better people than I must be. I hope every member of the fucking taliban dies a slow painful death.

[SemperEadem]

2. I thought " insh'alla" was all the first aid they needed.

I hope the red cross is also treating the women who live in these areas, too. I would guess that their lot is far worse than someone with a bullet in his ass.

[Robb]

3. ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8415597

[Ian David]

4. Elizabeth Dole should lose her American citizenship, along with anyone donating to The Red Cross?nt

[FBI_Un_Sub]

5. The ICRC and the ARC are separate

They may -- at times -- act in parallel on humanitarian issues. But they are separate and distinct organizations, and one does not bind the other.

Elizabeth Dole has been out of the ARC leadership since Caesar was a lance corporal in the Roman Legions.

[and-justice-for-all]

6. Shouldn't that be the RED CRESCENT not the RED CROSS?

[qnr]

7. I wonder what their reasoning was for having the Red Cross do it instead of the Red Crescent?

Both agencies are under the IFRC umbrella (yes, I know that this was the ICRC). Perhaps it seems more neutral this way.

[FBI_Un_Sub]

8. Sloppiness

On the part of the UK Guardian

[qnr]

10. Ah - ok - thanks n/t