Clinton regrets rise in US deaths in Afghanistan
NEW DELHI — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Monday the surge in U.S. and allied deaths in Afghanistan this month is “regrettable and tragic,” and that the Obama administration believes it has no choice but to continue the fight.
Four more Americans were killed in Afghanistan on Monday, making July the deadliest month for U.S. troops since the war began in October 2001.
At a news conference after consulting with Indian officials on a range of topics, Clinton was asked about the rising death toll and whether she takes responsibility for a failure to persuade allies and coalition partners to give the war effort more support.
“It is deeply regrettable and tragic that we have had the loss of life by our Marines and soldiers in the last weeks as they have aggressively pursued the Taliban in southern Afghanistan, and we are very concerned about the kidnapping of our American soldier,” she replied, referring to Pfc. Bowe R. Bergdahl, 23. A day after he was seen in a Taliban video posted online, the Pentagon said Sunday that he had been captured.
Clinton said the U.S. government is doing all it can to obtain his safe release.
“But I think it’s unfair to link the tragic loss of Americans in the battle against the Taliban and their associated terrorist allies with a failure by our allies,” she said, noting that Britain has suffered a large number of casualties in recent weeks in Afghanistan.
“Other of our allies are engaged in combat, not only in the south but holding the line in the north, and I think that the commitment” by international allies “to support this offensive against the Taliban is commendable. Now we are bearing the brunt of the battle because we put more troops into it. But we are very grateful for the contributions and the sacrifice of so many who have come to the aid of Afghanistan.” She said that includes Afghan security forces who also have taken heavy losses.
“This is a very difficult battle but it is one that we feel must be waged, and we have a strategy that the president has approved, and we are implementing it,” she added.
The U.S. has about 56,000 troops in Afghanistan and the number is due to rise to about 68,000 this fall.
Related News
Secretaries Gates and Clinton say US goals hold steady in Afghanistan despite strategy reviewOctober 5th, 2009 Cabinet secretaries say reevaluation makes senseWASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton say the U.S. goals in Afghanistan haven't changed, despite the debate over what to do next.
UN humanitarian chief says Indonesia death toll rises to 1,100October 1st, 2009 UN: Indonesia death toll rises to 1,100UNITED NATIONS — The U.N.'s humanitarian chief said Thursday the powerful earthquakes that struck Indonesia have killed at least 1,100 people. John Holmes said the latest figures "suggest the death toll has risen already to 1,100" and that there are "many hundreds of injured people as well" because of Wednesday's 7.6-magnitude earthquake, which originated in the sea off Sumatra island.
Former President Clinton: Obama smart to take time before sending more troops to AfghanistanSeptember 22nd, 2009 Clinton: Obama wise to think through AfghanistanWASHINGTON — Former President Bill Clinton says he believes President Barack Obama is wise to step back and rethink U.S. policy in Afghanistan before approving the dispatch of additional U.S.
State Department tries to explain why Clinton snapped at student in CongoAugust 12th, 2009 US official gropes to explain Clinton's outburstWASHINGTON — The State Department struggled Tuesday to explain Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's face-off with a Congolese student and suggested that the questioner's nervousness sparked the outburst with the mention of her husband's name. Clinton snapped at the university student in Kinshasa on Monday when he asked what her husband, former President Bill Clinton, and Congo native and former NBA star Dikembe Mutombo thought about an international financial matter.
12 Taliban killed in clashes, airstrikes in southern AfghanistanAugust 11th, 2009 12 Taliban killed in Afghan clashKABUL — Insurgents killed a NATO soldier during a firefight in eastern Afghanistan, bringing the death toll among foreign troops this month to at least 24, officials said Tuesday. Clashes and airstrikes in the south killed a dozen Taliban fighters, officials said.
British soldier killed by roadside bomb while on foot patrol in southern AfghanistanAugust 9th, 2009 British soldier on patrol killed in AfghanistanKABUL —Britain's Ministry of Defense says one of its soldiers has been killed by a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan. The soldier died Saturday during a foot patrol in the southern province of Helmand.
McCain says additional troops may be needed in Afghanistan, waits for commanders' assessmentAugust 2nd, 2009 McCain says US may need more troops in AfghanistanWASHINGTON — Sen. John McCain says it appears that the U.S.
US service member dies of injuries in Afghanistan, raising US monthly toll to 42July 31st, 2009 US service member killed in AfghanistanKABUL — An American service member died in a bomb blast in Afghanistan on Friday, the military said, making August the deadliest month of the eight-year war for U.S. forces. The service member's vehicle struck a roadside bomb in eastern Afghanistan, NATO forces said.
2 US troops killed in Afghanistan blastJuly 22nd, 2009 2 US troops killed in Afghanistan blastKABUL — A bomb blast killed two U.S. troops in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday, raising the American death toll in what already is the deadliest month for U.S.
Clinton says US officials 'firmly believe' many 9/11 planners are hiding in PakistanJuly 20th, 2009 Clinton says 9/11 ringleaders are in PakistanNEW DELHI — U.S. officials "firmly believe" that al-Qaida leaders who planned and carried out the terrorist attacks of Sept.
Clinton dines with former secretaries of state amid a world of diplomatic troublesJune 17th, 2009 Clinton consults predecessors on troubled worldWASHINGTON — Facing a world of diplomatic woes from Iran to North Korea, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton had the opportunity to get some heavyweight advice at a dinner held by eight of her living predecessors. Tuesday night's private dinner at former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's Washington home gathered top U.S.
Obama pledges 'every effort' to halt civilian casualties in Afghanistan warMay 8th, 2009 Obama pledges effort to halt civilian war deathsWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is pledging "every effort" to halt civilian casualties in the war in Afghanistan. The president spoke after meeting with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistan's Asif Ali Zardari.
Sec'y of State Clinton: US deeply regrets apparent loss of innocent lives in AfghanistanMay 6th, 2009 Clinton: US regrets loss of life in AfghanistanWASHINGTON — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says the Obama administration "deeply, deeply" regrets the loss of innocent life apparently as the result of a U.S. bombing in Afghanistan and will undertake a full review of the incident.
Clinton says job creation is a key element of US strategy for stabilizing AfghanistanApril 23rd, 2009 Clinton: job creation is key to Afghan stabilityWASHINGTON — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is telling Congress that local job creation is a key purpose of the $980 million in extra funds the State Department is requesting for its work in Afghanistan. Clinton is testifying before a House appropriations subcommittee that is reviewing the administration's request for $7.1 billion in additional funds for the State Department this budget year.
Clinton says defeating al-Qaida is at the center of Obama's new strategy in AfghanistanApril 22nd, 2009 Clinton cites al-Qaida as key target in Obama planWASHINGTON — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is telling Congress that the core goal of President Barack Obama's anti-terror strategy is to defeat al-Qaida and prevent its return to Afghanistan. Clinton testified Wednesday before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where Chairman Howard Berman told her the panel is concerned about Islamic extremists gaining momentum in Pakistan.
Loading ...