OPINION:
R. Emmett Tyrrell Jr. has no right to personally attack the elected president of a country for cautioning against the adverse impact of collateral damage (“Hamid Karzai, Chicago Democrat,” Op-Ed, Feb. 26).
Isn’t it the foremost duty of any elected national leader to condemn civilian deaths, regardless of the circumstances, and demand tougher measures to prevent more from happening? Should the U.S. president keep quiet when dozens of brave American soldiers - set aside civilians - fall on the battlefield just because it is war and it’s their duty to fight for the security of their nation? To his credit and deep sense of patriotism, President Obama frequently visits Dover Air Force Base to receive and honor fallen U.S. soldiers.
Similarly, President Karzai sympathizes with his nation and cautions against civilian casualties, which the Taliban use as an effective influence tool against Afghan and international forces. Apparently, Mr. Tyrrell doesn’t get to read the frequent statements of President Karzai condemning terrorist attacks and consoling the families and loved ones of the fallen American and NATO soldiers in Afghanistan.
Many thanks to Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, who appreciates the power of a heartfelt apology to victims’ families. It is in our human nature that no amount of financial compensation can heal the pain of a victim’s family, but a few genuine words of apology, condolence and sympathy can go a long way.
We can only win wars when we are guided by the humanitarian compassion and logic that the Almighty has bestowed upon us. If guided by these timeless values, Mr. Tyrrell must apologize for his emotionless and disrespectful use of language to discuss the loss of civilian lives in Afghanistan, as well as for insulting the president of a sovereign nation.
M. ASHRAF HAIDARI
Political counselor
Embassy of Afghanistan
Washington
Please read our comment policy before commenting.