NATO says civilians used as shields
NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer called it a tragedy that NATO troops killed civilians in Afghanistan this week -- and privately told President Bush on a visit to Washington that militants used the civilians as shields.
The deaths occurred Tuesday in the Panjwayi district of southern Afghanistan. NATO has said its initial reports found 12 civilians were killed. But Afghan officials have estimated between 30 and 80 died, including women and children.
Press Secretary Tony Snow said De Hoop Scheffer told Bush that the Taliban were using the civilians as shields.
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