Soldiers may improve U.S. image

Troops may be stationed in the village where an American airstrike killed civilians and would help with a transition to humanitarian aid.

©Associated Press
July 8, 2002

KAKARAK, Afghanistan -- In a move to encourage local development and improve community relations, the United States may station troops in the area where a recent American airstrike killed scores of civilians, the commander of U.S. forces said Sunday.

Lt. Gen. Dan K. McNeill flew to this village in Uruzgan province less than a week after an attack that Afghans say killed 48 people, including 25 members of an extended family attending a wedding. Another 117 people were reportedly wounded.

McNeill, who met with tribal elders and the Uruzgan governor, said U.S. forces could be stationed in the district so that international aid workers would feel safe enough to come and help the villagers rebuild their lives.

"They asked us if we would put some (U.S. soldiers) here that would stay here, and we're thinking that that's probably in our best interests," McNeill said. "This is an area in which we've worked often so we propose to put some U.S. forces here and then we will probably bring in teams that can help with the liaison to humanitarian assistance."

That's what the village elders wanted to hear.

"Our hospitals are not in good shape," elder Abdul Rahim said. "Our schools are not in good shape. Everything is destroyed. Twenty-three years of war have destroyed everything here."

The mud compound where the general met the elders is only a few yards from buildings damaged in the July 1 raid. U.S. officials said an AC-130 gunship attacked after four antiaircraft guns were seen firing at U.S. planes.

After the meeting, McNeill said regional officials recognize that the United States did not intend to kill civilians.

Two days ago, Uruzgan Gov. Jan Mohammed Khan, who attended the Sunday gathering, warned that Afghans were ready to launch a jihad, or holy war, against the Americans unless attacks on civilians stopped.

On Sunday, however, Khan said he would be "very happy" to see American troops stationed in the district.

"You are welcome here always. Now, today and in the future," Rahim added.

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