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amazingly pro-american comments from the UN Secretary-General. much better than that tool of a Kofi Annan.
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U.N. secretary general assails Taliban over civilian deaths - USATODAY.com
U.N. secretary general assails Taliban over civilian deaths
By Jim Michaels, USA TODAY
UNITED NATIONS — U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon took a harsh tone Thursday against the Taliban, calling it "totally irresponsible" for killing and maiming civilians in its attempt to retake control of Afghanistan.
His remarks in an exclusive interview with USA TODAY came as the United Nations released a report showing that the number of civilian deaths in Afghanistan has reached record levels this year and are driven by an increase in indiscriminate attacks by the Taliban.
"Unfortunately, there is a perception that NATO forces or coalition forces have been killing civilians," Ban said. "I can assure you they are doing their best efforts to prevent any such potential."
Analysts said the blunt remarks against one side in an ongoing conflict were unusual for a top U.N. diplomat.
"The narrative is catching up" with reality, said Jeffrey Dressler, an analyst at the Institute for the Study of War.
The number of civilian deaths increased 15% to 1,462 in the first six months of this year over the same period last year. The U.N. reported that 80% of them were caused by militants, a 28% increase in civilian deaths attributed to insurgents. A NATO report last month issued similar percentages but did not include specific numbers of casualties.
The U.N. report also found that civilian deaths caused by coalition and Afghan government forces had dropped. The forces were responsible for 14% of the civilian deaths, a decline of 9%. Responsibility for 6% of the deaths could not be determined.
The secretary-general praised coalition efforts to reduce civilian casualties. For the past several years, the coalition has placed restrictions on the use of firepower such as air attacks and artillery to reduce civilian casualties, which can turn the population against the coalition.
"I really appreciate all this noble sacrifice by many American soldiers," Ban said. "This is a fight against terrorists, illegal armed groups."
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U.N. secretary general assails Taliban over civilian deaths - USATODAY.com
U.N. secretary general assails Taliban over civilian deaths
By Jim Michaels, USA TODAY
UNITED NATIONS — U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon took a harsh tone Thursday against the Taliban, calling it "totally irresponsible" for killing and maiming civilians in its attempt to retake control of Afghanistan.
His remarks in an exclusive interview with USA TODAY came as the United Nations released a report showing that the number of civilian deaths in Afghanistan has reached record levels this year and are driven by an increase in indiscriminate attacks by the Taliban.
"Unfortunately, there is a perception that NATO forces or coalition forces have been killing civilians," Ban said. "I can assure you they are doing their best efforts to prevent any such potential."
Analysts said the blunt remarks against one side in an ongoing conflict were unusual for a top U.N. diplomat.
"The narrative is catching up" with reality, said Jeffrey Dressler, an analyst at the Institute for the Study of War.
The number of civilian deaths increased 15% to 1,462 in the first six months of this year over the same period last year. The U.N. reported that 80% of them were caused by militants, a 28% increase in civilian deaths attributed to insurgents. A NATO report last month issued similar percentages but did not include specific numbers of casualties.
The U.N. report also found that civilian deaths caused by coalition and Afghan government forces had dropped. The forces were responsible for 14% of the civilian deaths, a decline of 9%. Responsibility for 6% of the deaths could not be determined.
The secretary-general praised coalition efforts to reduce civilian casualties. For the past several years, the coalition has placed restrictions on the use of firepower such as air attacks and artillery to reduce civilian casualties, which can turn the population against the coalition.
"I really appreciate all this noble sacrifice by many American soldiers," Ban said. "This is a fight against terrorists, illegal armed groups."