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[ 8 December 2003 ]
Interview With Zahir Azimi, Spokesperson For Afghanistan's Defense Ministry, Regarding The Bombing Of Ghazni.
PRAGUE, December 8, (RFE/RL) Breshna Nazari, a correspondent of Radio Free Afghanistan, interviewed Mohammad Zahir Azimi, spokesperson for Afghanistan's Defense Ministry, regarding the bombing of Ghazni.
Azimi: We are saddened by this incident and hereby state that we have told the coalition forces that this is yet again another repetition of such an incident that was caused by misunderstanding and misinterpretation. We have assigned a delegation of coalition forces and Defense Ministry officials to investigate the matter further.

Nazari: Has the delegation gone to Ghazni or are they conducting the investigation from here (Kabul)?

Azimi: Mainly from the information which is available to us here, and if it is necessary the delegation would go to Ghazni.

Nazari: Do you have accurate information about the military actions of the coalition forces, such as details of time and location?

Azimi: The coalition forces are waging a campaign against terrorism. Of course, they inform us, but sometimes there is not enough time to share or harmonize the details with us, hence they take action without informing us of the details. Air missiles and ground attacks are launched with prior notification of the Defense Ministry, but of course you realize that incidents in military actions are unavoidable.

Nazari: Don't you think that mistakes such as will trigger the people's wrath and hinder the peace process?

Azimi: It is natural that these incidents would have negative effect on the mass psychology. We are sorry and so are the coalitions forces, they have even ordered a special investigation, but incidents do happen at wars. We hope that this is the last of such incidents, and I hereby extend the profound condolences of the Defense Minister as well the coalition forces. And we will do our best to investigate the cause of this incident.

Nazari: You mentioned such incidents have happened in the past too and were investigated, but people would like to be informed of the outcome and nothing is ever done to this effect.

Azimi: This matter should be looked at from various perspectives. One is that such incidents during any war are unavoidable. Information is provided of the Taliban's location. Third, these investigations cannot lead to a trial, but it helps to prevent similar incidents. At the same time, more accurate information should be obtained in the future.

 


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