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Gates “regrets” Afghan civilian deaths

Kabul: U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates on Wednesday expressed “personal regret” for recent American air strikes that killed Afghan civilians, and pledged more accurate targeting in future.

After meeting Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Mr. Gates said: “As I told them, I offer all Afghans my sincere condolences and personal regret for the recent loss of innocent life as a result of coalition air strikes.”

Mr. Gates said the U.S. military takes extraordinary precautions to avoid civilian casualties, but added: “It is clear that we have to work even harder.”

He told Afghan officials he would be discussing the issue with American commanders and pilots later in the day.

General David McKiernan, commander of international forces in Afghanistan, said earlier a shortage of U.S. troops in Afghanistan is forcing commanders to rely more on air combat, which could cause more civilian casualties.

The attacks that have angered and embarrassed the U.S.-backed Afghan government.

General McKiernan said he needs at least three more combat brigades, in addition to the one arriving in January.

Without the additional troops, the war would be longer and deadlier, he said.

“The danger is that we’ll be here longer and we’ll expend more resources and experience more human suffering than if we had more resources placed against this campaign sooner,” he told reporters travelling with Mr. Gates. — AP

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