The military decided to make the $2000 payments as a gesture of condolence. Don't you just love it 2000 and less worth in Afganistan,
WONDER WHAT A LIFE IS WORTH IN AMERICA
Published: Tuesday May 8, 2007
Saying he was "deeply, deeply ashamed," a US commander apologized and made 2,000 dollar payments Tuesday to family members of 19 Afghans killed and 50 injured by US Marines in an incident more than two months ago.
Colonel John Nicholson, a US brigade commander, told reporters that the March 4 incident in Nangarhar province is still under investigation but the military decided to make the payments as a gesture of condolence.
"I stand before you today deeply, deeply ashamed and terribly sorry that Americans have killed and wounded innocent Afghan people," Nicholson said he told the family members.
"We are filled with grief and sadness at the death of any Afghan. But the death and wounding of innocent Afghans at the hand of Americans is a stain on our honor and on the memory of the many Americans who have died defending Afghanistan and the Afghan people," he said.
"This was a terrible, terrible mistake, and my nation grieves with you for your loss and suffering. We humbly ask for your respect and forgiveness," he said.
Nicholson read the statement to reporters here via video link from Afghanistan.
The apology comes amid growing anger in Afghanistan over civilian deaths in coalition military operations.
The US military is conducting a separate inquiry into allegations that some 50 civilians were killed April 28 and 30 in western Afghanistan in fighting between US and Afghan forces and what they said were Taliban fighters.
Saying he was "deeply, deeply ashamed," a US commander apologized and made 2,000 dollar payments Tuesday to family members of 19 Afghans killed and 50 injured by US Marines in an incident more than two months ago.
Colonel John Nicholson, a US brigade commander, told reporters that the March 4 incident in Nangarhar province is still under investigation but the military decided to make the payments as a gesture of condolence.
"I stand before you today deeply, deeply ashamed and terribly sorry that Americans have killed and wounded innocent Afghan people," Nicholson said he told the family members.
"We are filled with grief and sadness at the death of any Afghan. But the death and wounding of innocent Afghans at the hand of Americans is a stain on our honor and on the memory of the many Americans who have died defending Afghanistan and the Afghan people," he said.
"This was a terrible, terrible mistake, and my nation grieves with you for your loss and suffering. We humbly ask for your respect and forgiveness," he said.
Nicholson read the statement to reporters here via video link from Afghanistan.
The apology comes amid growing anger in Afghanistan over civilian deaths in coalition military operations.
The US military is conducting a separate inquiry into allegations that some 50 civilians were killed April 28 and 30 in western Afghanistan in fighting between US and Afghan forces and what they said were Taliban fighters.
posted by Kangaroo Brisbane Australia at 4:55 PM
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