Afghan President Orders Probe into Civilian Deaths in NATO Operations

Text of report by Afghan independent Ariana TV on 2 July

[Presenter] Civilian deaths in NATO operations have caused a lot of concern for both the government of Afghanistan and the international community. Few weeks back, the Afghan president expressed his dissatisfaction with NATO’s wilful operations which led to the killing of civilians and called on NATO to coordinate all its military operations with the Afghan army and police. Despite all efforts by the Afghan government and world community to minimize civilian casualties, the innocent people still suffer. In reaction to the recent NATO air strikes in Greshk District of Helmand Province, President Karzai has issued a statement, ordering an investigation into the recent civilian deaths in NATO operations in this province.

[Reporter] In this statement, President Karzai has ordered Afghanistan Defence Ministry to investigate civilian deaths in NATO operations and monitor implementation of a recent plan, which has been prepared for the Afghan and foreign troops, to avoid civilian deaths. The statement says that a decision will be taken after the completion of the investigation. Killing of civilians in NATO operations continues despite expression of concern by the president and the Afghan parliament.

However, NATO officials hold the Taleban responsible for the killing of civilians. NATO officials say that the Taleban are hiding in civilians’ houses and use them as shields.

The MPs representing Helmand Province believe that more than 300 civilians have been killed in this province in NATO operations in the last three months. The MPs have said that most of the civilians have been killed or injured during the night while sleeping. They have called on the foreign troops to coordinate their operations with the Afghan army.

It is important to note that over 90 civilians were killed in NATO operations last week.

(c) 2007 BBC Monitoring South Asia. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.