The U.S. and NATO say they don't have civilian casualty figures

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/politics/4921695.html

US dismisses reports on Afghan deaths

WASHINGTON — Despite rising civilian deaths in Afghanistan's counter-terror war — and rising criticism — a U.S. general suggested Tuesday that coalition commanders do not need to change the way they operate.

"We think the procedures that we have in place are good," Brig. Gen. Joseph Votel told a Pentagon press conference. "They work, they help us minimize the effects" on civilians, he said.

A count by the United Nations and an umbrella organization of Afghan and international aid groups shows that in the first five months of this year, the number of civilians killed by international forces was roughly equal to the number killed by insurgents. An Associated Press count for 2007 based on figures from Afghan and international officials found that while militants killed 178 civilians in attacks through June 23, Western forces killed 203.

Speaking by videoconference from Bagram, Votel said the assertion that coalition forces are killing more civilians is "absolutely not true," and that those deaths caused by insurgent forces are "significantly greater."

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has repeatedly pleaded with foreign troops to exercise caution and work more closely with Afghan forces, who might be able to minimize civilian casualties because of their knowledge of the terrain. On Saturday, he denounced the Taliban for killing civilians but directed most of his anger at foreign forces for being careless and viewing Afghan lives as "cheap."

"The U.S. and NATO say they don't have civilian casualty figures."

"Speaking by videoconference from Bagram, Votel said the assertion that coalition forces are killing more civilians is "absolutely not true," and that those deaths caused by insurgent forces are "significantly greater.""

Got it. Another act of faith.

better than they are? In both Afganistan and Iraq?

And why do so many non-combatants die?