WASHINGTON — Amid rising anger over civilian deaths in Afghanistan, President Bush says he is sending more forces to fight there, but cautions "there will be times" when U.S. strikes result in the loss of innocent life.
In remarks prepared for delivery today to an audience of military officers, Bush is accepting recommendations from senior officers for a modest troop reduction in Iraq as part of a plan that would shift some units to Afghanistan.
The new configuration reflects what Bush is calling a "degree of durability" in progress in Iraq. But it also points to setbacks in Afghanistan and to criticism that Bush has focused too closely on Iraq at the expense of the Afghanistan effort.
Tension over civilian casualties in Afghanistan flared after an Aug. 22 U.S. strike in the western province of Herat in which Afghan and United Nations officials said 90 civilians died. U.S. military officials had concluded that 35 militants and up to seven civilians were killed.
However, the military is sending a senior officer to review new evidence after videos surfaced showing dead children and grieving Afghans. Two cellphone videos, obtained by the Associated Press, are said to show dozens of covered bodies, with injuries clearly visible.
Bush is addressing the issue in the face of growing criticism, including from Afghan President Hamid Karzai, a close ally.
"Regrettably, there will be times when our pursuit of the enemy will result in accidental civilian deaths," Bush says in his prepared speech, without mentioning the Aug. 22 strike. "This has been the case throughout the history of warfare, yet our nation mourns every innocent life lost."
The president says he has promised Karzai that "America will work closely with the Afghan government to ensure the security of the Afghan people while protecting innocent life."
U.S. military officials emphasized they are not backing away from their earlier assessment, but acknowledged the new evidence was prompting a closer look.
"There are too many questions out there," said a Defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity when describing internal decision-making. "So we need a review to validate our original findings."
Bush will speak at the National Defense University in Washington. His remarks were released by the White House.
