ISAF commander issues statement on objectionable video

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

01.13.2012

Courtesy Story

International Security Assistance Force HQ Public Affairs

KABUL, Afghanistan -- The Commander of the International Security Assistance Force, Gen. John R. Allen, expressed his outrage over a controversial video posted recently on a public website.

“These actions are in direct opposition to everything the military stands for," Allen said after viewing the video. “Such acts in no way reflect the high moral standards and values we expect of our armed forces on a daily basis."

Speaking from the United States where he is briefly traveling, Allen echoed comments made by Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, who called Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai on Thursday: "I assure the people of Afghanistan and the members of the coalition that there will be a thorough investigation and a full accounting of what occurred."

"Such acts violate the sanctity of the dead and are deplorable and must be condemned in the strongest manner possible. We will support the investigation of these acts in every way for a swift determination of the facts,” Allen added. “If the investigation confirms the egregious acts depicted on the video, we support the appropriate administration of justice to hold accountable those who committed them.”

• Date Taken: 01.13.2012
• Date Posted: 01.13.2012 08:12
• Story ID: 82367
• Location: KABUL, AF