Afghan president condemns burning of bodies

AFGHAN president Hamid Karzai yesterday condemned the alleged desecration of the bodies of two dead Taliban fighters by US troops, but he said mistakes happen in war and Afghans shouldn’t let it mar their impression of the US.

His apparent attempt to reduce Afghans’ anger over the incident came amid warnings by Islamic clerics of a possible violent anti-American backlash.

“Sometimes things happen in these sort of operations, during war. Soldiers make mistakes,” he told reporters in Kabul. “We are very grateful for the international community’s assistance. Their soldiers have shed their blood in our country.”

But he added, “We in Afghanistan in accordance with our religion... are very unhappy and condemn the burning of the two Taliban dead bodies. I hope such incidents will not occur again.”

Mr Karzai on Thursday ordered an inquiry into video that purportedly shows US soldiers burning the bodies of the two dead Taliban fighters to taunt other militants. The US military also launched an investigation.

The US military declared the alleged abuse “repugnant” and vowed to investigate, while the State Department directed embassies to say such actions don’t reflect American values.

Australia’s SBS television network broadcast the video purportedly showing soldiers burning the bodies in hills outside Gonbaz village in the southern Shah Wali Kot district - an area plagued by Taliban activity and considered by the local security forces dangerous to venture into unless accompanied by US troops.

Viewers of the video saw about five troops in military fatigues standing near to a bonfire in which two bodies were laid side by side.