ISAF OFFICIALS SAY NO EVIDENCE FOUND CONNECTING U.S. TROOPS TO WARDAK PROVINCE ALLEGATIONS

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Joint Commission Reviews Wardak Province Allegations
By Amaani Lyle
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2013 - A joint commission composed of International Security Assistance Force and Afghan officials is being formed to review the Afghan government's concerns surrounding abuse and murder allegations in Afghanistan's Wardak province, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said here today.

Consultations to address Afghan President Hamid Karzai's claims are under way, with Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. the ISAF commander, leading the review, Little said at a Pentagon news conference.

"We take those concerns seriously and will work with the Afghans," Little said.

ISAF officials said yesterday that they had found no evidence connecting U.S. troops to allegations of abuse, torture, harassment and murder of innocent Afghans in the region. Talks will continue despite Karzai's order for special operations forces to end operations throughout the insurgent-dense province and to leave it within two weeks.

"We look forward to consulting with our Afghan partners," Little said, "as we do on a daily basis on other matters."