U.S. General Vows To Reduce Afghan Deaths

(AP)  The commander of U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan has said he will review military strategy in an effort to reduce civilian casualties.

U.S. Gen. Stanley McChrystal said in an interview broadcast Friday that troops had a duty to protect Afghan civilians.

He told the BBC that he would review troops' rules of engagement and instructions, "with the emphasis that we are fighting for the population, and that involves protecting them both from the enemy and from unintended consequences of our operation."

"Because we know that although an operation may be conducted for the right reason, if it has negative effects it can have a negative outcome for everyone," he said.

"Sometimes there's winning a tactical fight and losing a strategic event."

Civilian deaths, particularly in U.S. airstrikes, have angered many Afghans and undermined support for foreign intervention in the country. The U.S. is currently investigating airstrikes in western Afghanistan's Farah province that killed at least 30 civilians last month.

There are about 70,000 U.S. and allied troops in Afghanistan. President Barack Obama is sending 21,000 more American troops there to fight a resurgent Taliban, and has shaken up the U.S. military command in a bid to break the stalemate there.

McChrystal, a former special forces officer, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate this week as commander of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. He replaces Gen. David McKiernan, who was forced out by U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

Taliban insurgents are ramping up attacks on foreign forces. On Thursday, the head of U.S. Central Command, David Petraeus, said the number of insurgent attacks had hit the highest level since the December 2001 fall of the Taliban.

McChrystal said U.S. troops would be in Afghanistan for a long time to come.

"I think it will go on until we achieve the kind of progress we want to achieve," he said. "It won't be short."

[tautomer]

I'm sure Obama's cronies at Halliburton can figure something out. Obama sure is taking his time about getting rid of those guys, lol!!!!

[mainermike]

This is AS I SEE IT, by Mike "Mainer Mike" Brown.

Although accidental U.S. attacks on innocent Afghans is a terrible aspect of war, the Afghans must realize that there's only so much America can do to keep them safe.

Mistakes do happen. So they shouldn't hate us for it.

[asamiller]

How many of the troops in Afghanistan are Blackwater type guns for hire? Is the Military Industrial Complex expanding into labor as well as war equipment? Will big business now have even more of an interest in war as it now has through the Prison Industrial Complex?Are private soldiering firms making it easier to sell war to the American public? Or relieving the government of responsibility for casualties and long term veterans care?

[TNisgoodenoughforme]

Don't make vows you can't keep.

[soldier157]

This clown lied about the Pat Tillman medal issue. His integrity is questionable. General McKiernam is a better General and should not have been replaced. McCrystal needs to be brought up on charges along with Bush and Cheney. Gates is the real enemy a hold over from the idiot regime.

[mainermike]

This is AS I SEE IT, by Mike "Mainer Mike" Brown.

I wonder if this General really means what he says, or is just trying to look good to the general public.

Still, I hope the military takes the necessary steps to keep Afghan citizens as safe as possible. These people have been through enough, and we don't want to give them any more excuses to hate the American presence there.

That's AS I SEE IT. I'm Mike "Mainer Mike" Brown.

[johninpennsyl]

These foreign countries don't appreciate anything we do for them.
So,every now and then we strafe a wedding reception or bomb a school,nobody's perfect.
These people can't take a joke.

[Underdogus-7]

"he would review troops rules of engagement and instructions, "with the emphasis that we are fighting for oil" er population,he,he said the General commandant.