Posted on 02/25/2012 3:49:36 PM PST by kristinn
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2012 – President Barack Obama called the commander of the International Security Assistance Force today to offer condolences for the “tragic killing of U.S. troops” in Kabul and to discuss the ongoing violence in Afghanistan.
“On behalf of the American people, the president expressed his condolences to [Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen] and to the families who lost loved ones,” White House officials said in a statement today.
Initial reports indicate that an individual turned his weapon against ISAF service members in Kabul City today, killing two service members, according to an ISAF Joint Command statement.
In Kabul, Allen made the decision to protect forces by instituting the recall of ISAF-Afghanistan personnel working in ministries in and around Kabul.
"I condemn today's attack at the Afghan Ministry of Interior that killed two of our coalition officers, and my thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the brave individuals lost today," the general said in the statement.
Allen said an investigation is under way and officials will pursue all leads to find the person responsible for this attack. “The perpetrator of this attack is a coward whose actions will not go unanswered,” he said.
During the call, Obama thanked Allen for the steps he’s taking to protect service members and civilians in Afghanistan, and “to encourage calm.”
Earlier today, Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak offered condolences in a phone call with Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and apologized for the incident, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.
"Secretary Panetta appreciated the call and urged the Afghan government to take decisive action to protect coalition forces and curtail the violence in Afghanistan after a challenging week in the country," Little said.
Wardak told Panetta that Afghan President Hamid Karzai was assembling religious leaders, parliamentarians, justices of the Supreme Court and other senior Afghan officials to take urgent steps to take such action, Little added.
The United States welcomes Karzai’s statement encouraging peaceful expressions, and his call for dialogue and calm, the White House statement said.
“The United States remains committed to a partnership with the government and the people of Afghanistan, as we work to realize our shared goal of disrupting, dismantling and defeating al-Qaida and strengthening the Afghan state,” the statement said.
(Cheryl Pellerin of American Forces Press Service contributed to this article.)
(More on Obama's statement from the Los Angeles Times:
In a statement, the White House said Obama thanked Allen for the "measures he is taking to protect our service members and civilians in Afghanistan and to encourage calm."
"We welcome President [Hamid] Karzai's statement this morning encouraging peaceful expressions, and his call for dialogue and calm," the statement read. "The United States remains committed to a partnership with the government and people of Afghanistan, as we work to realize our shared goal of disrupting, dismantling and defeating Al Qaeda and strengthening the Afghan state."
“Obama is spying on the Conservative blogs and press.”
Of. Course. He. Is.
Good evening, DOJ blogsquad. 1000 year old eggs tonight or kimchee. Which is it? Hope you liked the pizza.
If messages were being sent on the pages of Qurans, why are Afghans not upset that people are WRITING IN THEM? The illiterates must the rioters. It’s the paid assassins that get to mix in and are given cover.
Take your condolences and stick them where the sun don't shine, effin' wimp
http://news.yahoo.com/obama-expresses-deep-regret-over-koran-burning-130521907.html
Not just his priorities.
He immediately expressed “deep regret” over a trash burning, while a day or two later had his propaganda mouthpiece let us us know that he expressed “condolences” over the murder of two American soldiers.
Condolences are what you give when you don’t know what else to say, but circumstances require that you say something.
See tagline.
He disgusts me
Screw you, you worthless POS!
Yes. I said it.
Go home Zero. Kenya needs your help.
What is your stand on the Bibles being burned? Where are you on the Christians being slaughtered? You haven’t said a word in their defense!
You are Zero. You are the puppet, not the puppet master.
He actually helped killing the officers by sending signals!!!
As tragic and awful as it seems, you unfortunately have "the post of the day" award from me. Nothing else need be said concerning this entire mess...
the infowarrior
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