U.S. Military Apologizes for Deaths of Three Unarmed Afghans at Road Check

[NNN0LHI]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBSUI1H8YD.html

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - The U.S. military on Monday apologized for the deaths of three unarmed Afghans, shot by American troops after their pickup truck failed to stop at a road checkpoint.

Spokesman Maj. Scott Nelson said the U.S.-led coalition was investigating Saturday night's shooting in the central province of Ghazni, 75 miles south of Kabul, and looking into way to make its checkpoints safer.

"We are very sorry. This is a dramatic tragedy and three people were killed," Nelson told a press conference in the capital. It was the first apology from the military, which on Sunday said only that road checkpoints were important and that anyone approaching them had the responsibility to stop.

A man and two women died and two others - a man and a woman - were critically wounded. They are being treated by the U.S. military and remain in serious condition. An infant who was uninjured in the shooting has also been brought to a military hospital.

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[thebigidea]

1. can you imagine how their families must feel?

[Vladimir]

2. Somehow I doubt a sorry is going to cut it n/t

[GreenArrow]

6. well, we'll give 'em all $500 bucks

that'll take the sting out.

[Vladimir]

7. And they'll probably use it to get themselves

an AK and a few clips. Can't say I'd blame them either...

[MetaTrope]

3. Apparently we're rotating troops from Baghdad into Afghanistan now?

:mad:

[Alpharetta]

4. must stop at the checkpoints?

When so few U.S. troops are there, it's more likely the checkpoint is bandits.

[UpInArms]

5. isn't it interesting

how "sorry" just doesn't amount to a "do over"?

Those people are dead because of the stupidity involved in the whole system.

Then they will wonder why the local populaces don't "embrace" them and throw flowers.

I am so sorry that we have such a poor commander-in-chief in all of our escapades.

:grr:

[Swamp Rat]

8. "We are very sorry..."

:puke:

[daleo]

9. "Sorry about that, chief"

"Here's fifty bucks. Don't spend it all in one place."

I believe this is the procedure used for apologizing.