US skeptical of Afghan civilian deaths claim

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

CRAWFORD, Texas (AFP) — The White House on Friday reacted skeptically to the Afghan interior ministry's charge that a US-led strike in western Afghanistan had killed 76 civilians, including 50 children and 19 women.

"I would say that the United States and NATO have taken great steps to avoid any civilian loss of life. I would also caution on first reports out of Afghanistan," spokesman Gordon Johndroe told reporters.

"Often the Taliban and extremist groups are very quick to get out there. And violence that they perpetrated, they blame on the United States or our allies," he said as President George W. Bush spent time on his Texas ranch.

"And so I think it's very important to assess these situations, because the United States and NATO take very seriously our...