Afghanistan - 230 civilians dead, NATO mulls smaller bombs

[Citizen]

BBC reports that Nato mulls 'smaller Afghan bombs'

Nato commanders are hoping to reduce 'collateral damage'
Nato is considering the use of smaller bombs in Afghanistan to try to curb the rising number of civilians killed during operations against the Taleban.
Commanders have also ordered troops to hold off attacking militants in some situations where civilians are at risk.

Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer acknowledged civilian casualties had hurt the alliance politically, in an interview with the Financial Times.

Aid agencies say Western forces have killed 230 civilians so far this year.

Between 700 and 1,000 civilians were killed by both sides during 2006, according to the Agency Co-ordinating Body for Afghan Relief (ACBAR).



Full BBC report here

[Cael]

"Aid agencies say Western forces have killed 230 civilians so far this year."


Bloody Terrorists.

[Helium Three]

What was that Brendan Behan quote?

[FakeViking]

I think George Orwell would be more appropriate!

Or that old hippie quote that fighting for peace was like fukcing for virginity?

[Citizen]

This thread is stirring up apathy big time. Must be the sunshine and the hurling.

Am betting it will set a new record as the least viewed ever on p.ie.

[Helium Three]

Are there Irish Defence Force members in Afghanistan?

[Shankill Browser]

Are there Irish Defence Force members in Afghanistan?

No. It's NATO I think.

[lostexpectation]

yeah theres handful doing info work with isaf

[Shankill Browser]

yeah theres handful doing info work with isaf

That's very interesting. Given that isaf is a nato led operation, does their presence say anything about Ireland / nato in the future?

[sid]

yeah theres handful doing info work with isaf

That's very interesting. Given that isaf is a nato led operation, does their presence say anything about Ireland / nato in the future?

nothing that the Irish deployment to KFOR hasn't said for years. Ireland is now the Framework Nation of Multi-National Task Force Centre, an Irish General commands the Brigade made up of Irish, Czech, Latvian, Finnish, Slovakian and Swedish troops.

everything Ireland does in terms of procurement, operations and doctrine fits within a NATO mould because all of Irelands partners in Peacekeeping are either members of NATO or have very close relations with NATO - everything from the size of standard pallets to ammunition, from communications procedures to the size of vehicles to ensure airmobility via NATO air transport assets.

Ireland plays in the same games as NATO, yet because it won't join formally it doesn't get the perks - like funding, training, security commitments and a seat at the big table - which seems a bit dumb to me...

interestingly however, when ISAF was being formed (2001/2002) Uncle Bertie wanted to play, but NATO rejected formed Irish units because they were too dependent on other military forces for pretty much everything - Air Transport, Logistic Spt, Air Mobility, Armoured Spt, ISTAR... no one could be bothered with the aggro of taking an Irish infantry unit under their wing and doing all the boring (and expensive) behind the scenes stuff that would allow the Irish unit to do its job - and gets lots of pictures in the papers.

the recent spending spree on a mighty six - relatively small - troop carrying helicopters and the proposed 'multi-role' vessel for the INS are rumoured to be a response to this 'slap in the face' from NATO and Berties attempt to get the Irish Defence Forces ready to play with the big boys. the new Dharfur UN job is an idication if the way PK ops are going, they are being 'sub-contracted' out by the UN, NATO does A'stan and Kosovo, EU does Lebannon, Bosnia and DR Congo and the African Union does Dharfur. the EU forces are in effect the European arm of NATO so their standards, doctrine and equipment are one and the same, the other option left is the AU...