McChrystal Broadcasts Apology for Civilian Killings Over Afghan Television

[bigtree]

(Feb. 23) -- The top U.S. general in Afghanistan issued a video apology to the Afghan people today, telling them he's "extremely saddened" by the "tragic loss of innocent lives" during NATO operations in the country.

The military dubbed over Gen. Stanley McChrystal's apology into two Afghan languages, Dari and Pashtu, and made it available to all media for broadcast on Afghan television.

In the video, McChrystal describes how American forces called in an airstrike Sunday against what they believed was a group of insurgents in Uruzgan province, but later realized that Afghan civilians were killed instead. The Afghan government says 27 people died, including four women and a child. It was the third such mistaken bombing in a week's time.

"I express my deepest, heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families. We all share in their grief," McChrystal said. "I have made it clear to our forces that we are here to protect the Afghan people. I pledge to strengthen our efforts to regain your trust to build a brighter future for all Afghans."

McChrystal apologized to Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Sunday, shortly after it became clear the victims of the Uruzgan attack were civilians. NATO's Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told reporters in Washington on Monday that he "strongly" regrets the killing of Afghan civilians, and added that Taliban fighters have been responsible for the "huge majority" of civilian deaths in the country. His comments were carried by several agencies.

http://www.aolnews.com/world/article/top-us-gen-stanley-mcchrystal-apologizes-for-civilian-deaths-in-afghanistan/19369275

[chelsea0011]

1. Now will the RW go after him for showing weakness by apologizing?

they certainly went after Obama every time they perceived him apologizing to foreign countries.

[Don Caballero]

2. You would have never seen this under the Shrub's regime

President Obama and his cabinet have brought a sense of humbleness back into the public sphere.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. He's trying to save his sorry ass from being fired for incompetence.

“What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy.” - Gandhi