Safety
Of Afghan Civilians Appears
Not To Be Paramount In Afghan War
By Brian McAfee
10 June, 2007
Countercurrents.org
The
most recent AP report on U.S. casualties in Afghan war indicates that
the deaths now stand at 333 (as of June 7). The civilian casualties
in Afghanistan from January of this year through June have been reported
to be from 320 to 380 killed. May, a particularly deadly month for Afghan
civilians, saw an equal number of deaths from U.S. or NATO forces and
the Taliban. It was reported that "They include about 135 killed
by U.S. or NATO action, a figure that could also undermine support in
western countries, especially in Europe, for the far away deployment."
The report goes on to say "about 135 civilians have also been killed
by Taliban suicide bombs and attacks." U.S. special forces recent
operations in Afghanistan have also killed 90 civilians according to
another recent AP report. The combined civilian deaths from ground attacks
and aerial bombings have resulted in large street demonstrations and
increased skepticism among Afghans about U.S. motivations.
In response to this year's
stepped up bombings and apparent disregard for civilian casualties the
Afghan upper house of Parliament has called on the U.S. and Nato led
forces to stop taking offensive actions against the Taliban. They also
asked the Afghan government to open up dialogue with the Taliban provided
they (the Taliban) accept the country's new constitution. The upper
house also asked for a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign troops.
The apparent disregard of
women, children and old men in attacks on civilians from both sides
indicates a lack of legitimacy. Another situation where the "War
on Terror" has become a "War of Terror."
Some of the earlier promises
of the U.S. in Afghanistan, schools, hospitals, roads, were only partially
fulfilled, and many schools have been closed because of the violence.
Many of the ideas such as building schools and infrastructure are sound
but were minimally fulfilled, and girls schools only seem secure in
Kabul. Some believe the primary reason for the war in Afghanistan was
not to free the nation from the Taliban but to clear up a thoroughfare
for Caspian Sea oil. The route for Caspian Sea oil was/is to be trucked
from the Caspian Sea through Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan
to the port at Karachi. From there down the Arabian Sea and to U.S.
Ports. Time will tell if this pans out and is the actual motive.
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