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NATO Blames Taliban for 100 Afghan Civilian Deaths Last Month

   VOA News 10 November 2010

   The NATO-led force in Afghanistan says insurgents were responsible for
   the  deaths of more than 100 Afghan civilians last month and more than
   200  civilian  injuries,  despite  the  Taliban's  claims  that it has
   protected ordinary citizens.
   NATO  said the Taliban's message does not match the reality that every
   day,  insurgents  are  deliberately killing, injuring and intimidating
   Afghans.
   The  international  security  force  described  the  contradiction  as
   hypocrisy.
   It  outlined  four  main  ways  that  the  Taliban  bullies civilians,
   including  indiscriminate  violence,  oppressive  practices,  imposing
   extremist  ideology and preventing the growth and development of basic
   services.
   The statement comes as coalition forces push to crack down on militant
   fighters in Afghanistan, particularly in the country's volatile south.
   NATO said two of its service members were killed in separate insurgent
   attacks Wednesday, one in the the south and the other in the east. The
   force did not provide further details.
   This   year  has  been  the  deadliest  for  international  forces  in
   Afghanistan  since  the  war  began in 2001. More than 625 troops have
   been killed.

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP.