Petraeus Says He Will Revisit Afghanistan ROE

[tekisui]

Source: Marine Times

Gen. David Petraeus said Tuesday that revisiting the rules limiting live fires near civilian populations in Afghanistan will be one of his “highest priorities” upon assuming direct command of the war effort.

Petraeus told the Senate Armed Services Committee he is fully aware of troops’ concerns that the rules protect local civilians at the expense of troops’ lives. “I want to assure the mothers and fathers of those fighting in Afghanistan that I see it as a moral imperative to bring all assets to bear to protect our men and women in uniform, and the Afghan security forces with whom ISAF members are fighting shoulder-to-shoulder,” he said.

“I am keenly aware of concerns by some of our troops on the ground about the application of our rules of engagement, and the tactical directive,” Petraeus said. “They should know that I will look very hard at this issue.”

Petraeus said he doesn’t see “a substantial change” in the rules of engagement, which he called “fairly standard.” Rather, he said, “We have to be absolutely certain that the implementation of the tactical directive and the rules of engagement is even throughout the force” — that commanders at some levels are not interpreting the rules in a manner that is “more restrictive than necessary.”

more: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2010/06/military_petraeus_afghanistan_062910w/

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

1. "moral imperative" + occupation of Afghanistan = oxymoron. K&R