Afghan probe set to begin into civilian casualties from US-led coalition

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http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/subcontinent/2006/July/subcontinent_July461.xml§ion=subcontinent

Afghan probe set to begin into civilian casualties from US-led coalition airstrike

KABUL, Afghanistan - An investigation ordered by Afghan President Hamid Karzai into reported civilian deaths during a coalition airstrike this week will begin on Friday, a presidential adviser said.

US forces claims more than 40 Taliban were killed in Monday’s attack. snip

US officials said they have no details on any civilian casualties or damage from that operation, but are investigating the reports.

On Monday, the US Air Force said a B-1B bomber plane dropped four “precision-guided munitions” on positions in Tirin Kot. A coalition statement said Afghan and coalition forces also traded small-arms fire with militants, more than 40 of whom were killed according to the military. snip

“We are also going with a message of condolence from President Karzai and will provide financial help for the affected people,” he said.

[gratuitous]

1. Karzai's government is going to do this?

Somehow, I don't think Karzai quite has the credibility to do a very good job of investigating civilian deaths. Besides, his American handlers have already told him that all 40 of the dead were Taliban. Or militants. Well, really bad dudes, at any rate.

[whistle]

2. Hey, you mean that the U.S. military coalition forces actually

...caused civilian casualties in Afghanistan on purpose? Wow, I find that hard to believe. Donald Rumsfeld never admitted that our forces did that. Neither did Dick Cheney or George Bush. That must be a mistake, no way Jose :sarcasm: