U.S. Rejects Afghan Civilian Death Estimate

[Turborama]

Source: NYT

By CARLOTTA GALL and ALAN COWELL -

KABUL, Afghanistan — Disputing an account by the Afghan government, the United States military Wednesday rejected a charge that around 140 noncombatants were killed in a recent bombing in the western province of Farah, but acknowledged that “at least 20-30 civilians may have been killed” during fighting in which the military said up to 65 Taliban insurgents also died.

A statement from American forces in Afghanistan was issued a day after the new American ambassador here, Lt. Gen. Karl W. Eikenberry, held a face-to-face meeting with Afghan survivors of an aerial bombardment on May 4 in Bala Baluk district and promised that the coalition forces would change their tactics in order to prevent civilian casualties in the future.

The statement was the most exhaustive American account of the incident so far, and it reflected the deep and emotive disputes surrounding civilian deaths in Afghanistan as American forces prepare to step up a war that President Obama has made a top priority.

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General Eikenberry was clear in acknowledging the civilian suffering and expressing his sympathy. “This incident began with your brave police and army, together with their American partners, battling the Taliban,” he said in a speech, released later by the United States Embassy in Kabul. “But it ended in a terribly tragic way, with loss of civilian lives as well as your policemen. I assure the people of Afghanistan that the United States will work tirelessly with your government, army and police to find ways to reduce the price paid by civilians, and avoid tragedies like what occurred in Bala Baluk,” he said. “As U.S. ambassador, and with my previous experience as a soldier, I make this a solemn pledge.”

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/21/world/asia/21afghan.html?ref=asia