NATO Secretary General regrets civilian casualties in Helmand operation
The NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen is following progress on Operation Moshtarak in Helmand Province and receiving regular updates from his Senior Civilian Representative (SCR), Ambassador Mark Sedwill, and the strategic military commander SACEUR, Admiral James Stavridis.
The Secretary General is saddened by the civilian casualties that occurred during the operation in Nad Ali district, in Helmand Province, and extends his condolences to the families of the civilians killed, as well as to the Afghan people. ISAF commander, General Stanley McChrystal, has stated very clearly that ISAF and Afghan forces will continue to do all that they can to minimize the risk to the civilian population.
Mr. Fogh Rasmussen remains convinced that the success of this operation will not be in the military phase; it will be in the months to come, as the people of Central Helmand feel the benefit of security, better governance, justice and economic opportunities.