Troops losing civilian support in Afghanistan

This is from the Telegraph.
This is hardly news but perhaps it is necessary to keep repeating the facts since NATO and ISAF refuse to pay much attention. Karzai has gone on and on complaining about air attacks and civilian casualties, but with no tangible results except perhaps a plan to have him ousted as president and elect someone less critical. Of course the Taliban use the civilian population as shields when they can and hide in civilian houses. But only if the allied forces who are so careful about civilian casualties bomb those areas or attack them will there be civilian casualties.


Afghan troops losing support from locals
The behaviour of international troops is jeopardising the support of the Afghan people, the country's most senior United Nations official has warned.

By Ben Farmer in Kabul Last Updated: 3:02PM GMT 12 Dec 2008
Kai Edie, the UN Secretary-General's special representative, said he was worried about the effects of civilian casualties, unlawful detentions and heavy-handed searches.
Civilian deaths, particularly from coalition airstrikes, have caused deep resentment in Afghanistan and President Hamid Karzai has repeatedly demanded villages are not bombed.
Civilians have also repeatedly been shot dead when cars and buses have failed to heed warnings and strayed too close to coalition convoys and patrols.
He said: "In the end the Afghans themselves have to win the hearts and minds of their population, we can contribute, but I am afraid that we will be less welcome in the Afghan public if we do not correct our behaviour."
Mr Eide's comments came as the Nato-led coalition said three bus passengers were shot dead yesterday (FRI) when their bus veered towards a patrol and ignored warnings in Wardak province.
He said there was growing concern among Afghans about the behaviour of coalition forces.
"Does it mean that the Afghans do not want international military troops there? No, they still want it, but we must maintain that support which is fundamental for our success."
There are some 65,000 international troops in Afghanistan and General David McKiernan, the Nato commander, has requested more than 20,000 US reinforcements which will begin arriving next month.
Afghanistan has seen its bloodiest year since the Taliban regime was toppled in 2001, with some estimates putting the number killed in fighting at more than 5,000. Fighting is expected to get heavier next year as the US surge moves troops into previously ungarrisoned areas.
A spokesman for the Nato-led coalition said troops were under specific directions how to avoid civilian casualties and how to avoid causing offence.
"ISAF is in Afghanistan under UN mandate at the invitation of the Afghan government," he said.
"One civilian casualty is one too many and ISAF does everything possible to avoid civilian casualties and distress to the Afghan people.
"The insurgents however, seek to exploit the civilian population, using them as human shields, causing terror and destruction to their homes, infrastructure and livelihoods."