Extra troops could increase Afghan casualties, aid agencies warn
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
London, April 3, IRNA – International aid agencies have warned Nato countries meeting in Strasbourg this weekend that sending extra troops to Afghanistan could lead to a rise in civilian casualties.
An increase in military deployments will fail to achieve security and stability unless civilians are protected, said the aid agencies, including Oxfam and Action Aid in the UK and US-based Care International.
The warning comes ahead of the Nato summit, where US President Barack Obama is expected to press other member countries to send more forces to Afghanistan in support of Washington sending an extra 17,000 troops.
All America's allies in Afghanistan have been asked to conduct their own review so that they "take a hard look at what they believe is their highest and best contribution," US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told the Times newspaper Friday.
“We'll be talking about how our allies can match their resources to the needs identified in the strategic review" of policy in Afghanistan that Obama unveiled last week, Clinton said.
On Wednesday, the `Stop Bombing Afghanistan' campaign group concerned about rising number of civilian casualties also warned that Obama was wrong in planning to increase the deployment of foreign troops in Afghanistan.
Last year, it is estimated that more than 2,000 civilians were killed in Afghanistan, including a significant number by Nato coalition troops.
Polls in the US, Britain and the rest of Europe have also shown clear majorities opposing the deployment of extra troops with most believing the numbers should be cut and withdrawn.
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