Tense talks after Afghanistan bombings kill civilians
- 00:02:45
- ITN
Tense talks after Afghanistan bombings kill civilians
US President Barack Obama has hailed trilateral White House talks on Afghanistan as "extraordinarily productive". The meeting between Afghan leader Hamid Karzai, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Mr Obama followed reports that scores of civilians, including many women and children, were killed by US-led airstrikes in the country's Western Farah province. A first aid volunteer for Afghanistan's Red Crescent was among the dead as were 13 members of his family. Spokeswoman Jessica Barry said staff sent to the scene of the raids had found houses destroyed and dozens of dead bodies, including women and children. "There were women and there were children who were killed. It seemed they were trying to shelter in houses when they were hit," she said. Provincial police chief Abdul Ghafar Watandar said the death toll could be even higher and accused the Taliban of using the civilians as human shields. "The fighting was going on in another village, but the Taliban escaped to these two villages, where they used people as human shields," said police chief Watander, adding: "The air strikes killed about 120 civilians and destroyed 17 houses." If confirmed, the figures would make the incident the single deadliest for Afghan civilians since the campaign to topple the Taliban began in 2001. The White House is seeking a commitment from the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan to step up their efforts against the Taliban. However, Mr Obama did not refer directly to the organisation but instead spoke of the threat from al-Qaeda and its "extremist allies". Speaking shortly after the meeting, Mr Obama pledged "lasting commitment" to the democratic government of both countries, adding: "The security of Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States are linked." He continued: "I'm pleased that we have advanced unprecedented co-operation between Afghanistan and Pakistan on a bilateral basis, and among Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United States - which will benefit all of our people." The US president called on the two visiting heads of states to share intelligence and co-ordinate efforts to "isolate, target and take out" insurgents. In return he vowed US support and money to build schools, roads and hospitals in a bid to win hearts and minds. "I want the Pakistani people to understand that America is not simply against terrorism - we are on the side of their hopes and their aspirations," he said, adding: "The road ahead will be difficult. There will be more violence, and there will be setbacks. "But let me be clear. The United States has made a lasting commitment to defeat al-Qaeda, but also to support the democratically elected sovereign governments of both Pakistan and Afghanistan. That commitment will not waiver and that support will be sustained." The heads of state summit ended a day of high level meetings in Washington. Earlier, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton suggested that calls for greater confrontation with the Taliban were being heard by the visiting presidents. After her meeting with Mr Zardari and Mr Karzai she told reporters that the talks were "producing some very promising early signs". She added that Pakistan's military offensive against the Taliban in the Swat Valley was a positive sign.
ITN | May 7, 2009
