The recent atrocity in Afghanistan is just the latest in a long list of crimes, reports Sally Turner
NINE AFGHAN children are among 16 dead after a US soldier went on a murderous rampage after leaving his Nato base earlier this week.
The Afghan government has urged civilians to show restraint until investigations have been completed but the authorities are concerned that this will spark off more demonstrations similar to the ones that swept Afghanistan after US servicemen burnt copies of the Koran in February.
One man who lost all 11 members of his family said the Afghan people would not let the US authorities get away with this warcrime.
The attack comes at a time when President Hamid Karzai and US official are negotiating a future role for forces within Afghanistan after 2014 when troops are due to be withdrawn.
The American government are trying to cover it up as much as possible by issuing a statement saying they will be carrying out full investigations, explaining that the solider acted on an individual basis and even getting Obama to call the family of the victims offering his condolences and saying it wasn’t a representation of the US military.
Long list of crimes
Far from an “isolated incident” this shows the attitude that is bred into occupying troops– one of hatred and fear of Afghanis. The troops have been in Afghanistan since 2001 and what is happening is the inevitable from a long term occupation. In January a video emerged which showed US marines urinating on the corpses of three Taliban fighters and in February eight young Afghans were killed in a Nato bombing. The list is a long one.Each time an investigation is promised but rarely anything comes of it – this is why violent protests have been sparked across the country.
Now the US military are saying they will bring the soldier back to the US for trial – Afghan people are justifiably demanding that he be tried in Afghanistan, the scene of the crime. The demonstrations and resistance will only grow as the occupation continues.
