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Investigation On Claims 90 Afghan Civilians Killed As Air Strikes Increase
Kabul (AFP) Aug 30, 2008 The US-led force in Afghanistan, United Nations and government have agreed to jointly investigate disputed charges that troops killed more than 90 civilians last week, a military official told AFP Saturday. The US-led coalition has dismissed the allegations, admitting though that five civilians died a week ago in the air strikes, which also killed an important Taliban commander and about two dozen other rebels. "There will be a joint investigation," said Brigadier General Richard Blanchette, spokesman for the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force, which works alongside the coalition. "The government and the UN have accepted the offer," he told AFP, referring to calls by ISAF commander US General David McKiernan for a combined review. A UN spokesman confirmed special representative Kai Eide had spoken to McKiernan on Saturday and that "we are open to the idea of a joint investigation." "It is important that we all get to the bottom of what has happened," spokesman Aleem Siddique told AFP. The UN has said its team had found "convincing evidence" that more than 90 civilians, including 60 children, were killed in the strikes in Shindand district on August 22. An Afghan team appointed by President Hamid Karzai says it has no doubt about the figure, based on its interviews with locals. Bodies had all been buried by the time the team arrived. US officials reportedly say there was a lack of physical evidence to support the team's number. If confirmed, it would be one of the highest civilian tolls since international forces arrived in Afghanistan in late 2001 to expel the Taliban regime for harbouring Al-Qaeda. "We do have reservations," said Blanchette, adding the Taliban may have tried to manipulate information after the event to discredit the troops. The disputed operation had been legitimate with the targeted rebel commander "responsible for many, many deaths," the Canadian general said. Related Links News From Across The Stans
Russia to boost military ties with Tajikistan
Dushanbe (AFP) Aug 29, 2008Russia and ex-Soviet Tajikistan are to boost military ties, the two countries said in a statement Friday after talks between President Dmitry Medvedev and Tajik counterpart Emomali Rakhmon. |
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