Posted on 12/22/2011 2:21:42 PM PST by Cardhu
Miscommunication and bad maps contributed to the deaths of 24 Pakistani troops in a NATO airstrike last month, a military investigation concluded Thursday.
A statement issued by the Pentagon on Thursday said "inadequate coordination by U.S. and Pakistani military officers ... resulted in a misunderstanding about the true location of Pakistani military units."
"This, coupled with other gaps in information about the activities and placement of units from both sides, contributed to the tragic result," Pentagon spokesman George Little said.
The U.S. investigation also conceded a critical error by U.S. troops - telling Pakistan the cross-border shooting was taking place about 9 miles away, due to mapping error. Pakistan responded by saying it had no troops there.
The Pentagon statement expressed "deepest regret" for the loss of life and the lack of coordination that contributed to it. However, it also said U.S. forces cannot operate effectively in Pakistani border areas "without addressing the fundamental trust still lacking between us."
A senior defense official told NBC News on Thursday that the U.S. is taking responsibility for its mistakes and, in keeping with cultural norms in the region, will offer condolence payments to the families of the fallen Pakistani troops.
STORY: Pakistan says attack could hurt war on terror
The death of the Pakistani soldiers dug in along the mountainous, remote border area, along with the initial NATO response, has incensed Pakistanis and marked yet another setback in the Obama administration's efforts to improve chronically troubled ties with an uneasy ally against militants.
The incident prompted Pakistan to shut down ground routes used to supply U.S. forces in Afghanistan and to demand that the United States vacate an air base used to launch drone flights within 15 days.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxvzw-news.mobile.msn.com ...
“Part of the problem, Clark said, were instructions to U.S. soldiers not to directly share details of their geographic assessments with their Pakistani liaison officers - a symptom of what he called “an overarching lack of trust” on both sides.
When U.S. forces sought a precise location of allied soldiers from a commander in Pakistan, the exchange further illustrated mutual wariness, Clark said.
“When asked, the (Pakistani) general answer back was, ‘Well, you know where it is because you’re shooting at them,’ rather than giving a position.”
We have the most accurate GPS and satellite imagery available to mankind and they claim a ‘map error’?.................
If they Pakis hadnt returned fire, they may still be alive.. imho
Who did they thingk they were firing on? Indians?
Sounds an awfully lot like Clinton “ACCIDENTLY” bombing the Chinese Embassy.
The “bad maps” excuse again, eh?
The “bad maps” excuse again, eh?
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Well, if the MISadministration can’t blame Bush, just who do you expect them to blame???
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