NATO forces in Afghanistan Chief, US Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal made a public apology, with translation in Dari and Pashto, to the Afghan population for an unintentional attack that killed 27 civilians a few days ago. McChrystal is attempting to be more transparent and forthright with public information distributed to the Afghan population.
Where as in the past NATO would not comment on battlefield mistakes, McChrystal, from a public information standpoint, understands that winning the hearts and minds of civilians is as important as gains in combat.
McChrystal looked into the camera and spoke directly to the populace –
“I have instituted a thorough investigation to prevent this from happening again,” he said. “I pledge to strengthen our efforts to regain your trust to build a brighter future for all Afghans. Most importantly, I express my deepest, heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families. We all share in their grief and will keep them in our thoughts and prayers.”
Under McChrystal’s command NATO has shifted on the communications front. In the past 10 days alone, it has admitted that airstrikes in Kunduz and Kandahar Provinces last week killed five civilians and a handful of Afghan policemen, and that a rocket strike in the Marjah offensive in Helmand Province left at least nine bystanders dead. Troops there have also shot and killed civilians they have mistaken for suicide bombers. Each time an explanation has been forthcoming.
Prior to McChrystal assuming command, NATO’s public information outreach regarding civilian casualties was slow to be distributed to the Afghan public and lacking solid facts.
Military officials claim that NATO’s improved ability to communicate in Afghanistan can be attributed directly to McChrystal himself, who has shaken up the command structure and spun off a new public affairs office fielding queries 24 hours a day.
“It’s a good place to be right now. It’s very exciting and I think the excitement is contagious,” says Col. Wayne Shanks, a NATO public affairs officer based in Kabul. “I owe most of it to General McChrystal because he refocuses us and reenergizes us each day.”
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