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Karzai: No More NATO Airstrikes on Houses

Warns of unilateral move to stop attacks

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted May 31, 2011 6:41 AM CDT

(Newser) – Hamid Karzai has called on NATO to cease all airstrikes on civilian homes, warning that Afghanistan could unilaterally intervene to stop any continued attacks. The Afghan president spoke at a televised press conference following a US airstrike that killed some 12 women and children. “The Afghan people can no longer tolerate these attacks on their homes,” Karzai said. “Nobody has the right to take the life of an Afghan child.”

Despite a NATO apology, “it seems like nobody is taking this seriously,” said a Karzai rep. Gen. David Petraeus hadn’t personally called Karzai with an apology, palace officials said. Karzai lacks major authority to bar the airstrikes, but his comments could prompt anger across Afghanistan, the Wall Street Journal notes. That could hurt the West’s already-tense relations with the country as the coalition prepares to start withdrawing troops.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai gestures during a press conference at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan on Tuesday, May 31, 2011. (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq)

Afghan President Hamid Karzai takes a question during a press conference at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan on Tuesday, May 31, 2011. (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 4 comments

JimW

May 31, 2011 3:50 PM CDT

Yep, good idea Observer. Just drop one more house bomb, on HIS house, and pull EVERYTHING out, it all has a value. Leave nothing but scorched earth, they like being in the Stone Age anyhow. They had their chance, and didn't take it seriously. Let's just take India's side, they have PLENTY of organized bodies, and let them take back Pakistan, while walling off Afghanistan. We do not need to be there anymore, we got who we wanted.

Observer

May 31, 2011 12:46 PM CDT

How about we "accidently" bomb this corrupt, heroin dealing Prick's compound. Then pull out every penny, weapon, brick and telephone line we put into this criminal enterprise. F Them now. HARD!

Buckshot

May 31, 2011 12:13 PM CDT

When you harbor the enemy you are at risk.

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Karzai: No More NATO Airstrikes on Houses

Warns of unilateral move to stop attacks

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Afghanistan • NATO • Hamid Karzai • apology • airstrike • Afghanistan war

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