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Afghan officials warn U.S.
Lawmakers are angered by a mounting civilian death toll and call
for a cease-fire and talks with the Taliban.
By JASON STRAZIUSO
The Associated Press
05/10/07 "AP"
-- - KABUL, Afghanistan Afghan lawmakers angered by mounting
civilian deaths have sent a sharp warning to U.S. and NATO
commanders, passing a motion for a military cease-fire and
negotiations with the Taliban.
The resolution, which NATO labeled “a warning shot” across its
own bow, came as reports emerged Wednesday of 21 villagers
killed in airstrikes, including several women and children.
The proposal from the upper house of parliament, which also
calls for a date to be set for the withdrawal of foreign troops,
suggests that Afghan support for the five-and-a-half-year-old
international military mission is crumbling amid a spate of
civilian deaths.
“One of the reasons I want this bill implemented is because of
the civilian deaths caused by both the enemy and international
forces,” said Abdul Ahmad Zahidi, a parliamentarian from Ghazni
province. “It's difficult to prevent civilian deaths when the
Taliban go inside the homes of local people. How can you prevent
casualties then? You can't.”
Parliament's lower house and President Hamid Karzai must endorse
the proposal for it to become law. Presidential officials were
not available for comment Wednesday. However, Karzai has
repeatedly said he is open to talks with Taliban.
The resolution passed Tuesday, hours before U.S. special forces
battling insurgents in Helmand province called in a series of
airstrikes.
The U.S.-led coalition said it destroyed “three enemy command
and control compounds” near Sangin, a militant hotbed in the
heart of Afghanistan's biggest opium poppy region that has seen
heavy fighting this year.
The coalition said a “significant” number of militants died in
the 16-hour battle, which pitted insurgents against U.S. and
Afghan government troops. One coalition soldier also died.
However, Helmand Gov. Assadullah Wafa said militants had sought
shelter in Afghan homes and the airstrikes killed at least 21
civilians.
Neither account could be independently verified.
On Tuesday, the U.S. military apologized and paid compensation
to the families of 19 people killed and 50 wounded by Marines
Special Forces who fired on civilians after a suicide attack in
eastern Afghanistan in March.
“We don't want their money and apologies,” said Haji Lawania,
who was injured in the incident and whose father and nephew were
killed.
The U.S. military also says it is looking into reports from
Afghan officials that 51 civilians died in airstrikes and
fighting in the western province of Herat last month.
According to an Associated Press tally based on reports from
Afghan and Western officials, 238 civilians have been killed by
violence this year, including at least 102 blamed on NATO or the
U.S.-led coalition. Those numbers do not include the 21 reported
killed Tuesday.
Associated Press reporter Rahim Faiez in Kabul contributed to
this report.
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