Top commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan says coalition support is strong

By SUSAN SEVAREID
Associated Press Writer

MUHARRAQ, Bahrain – Visiting U.S. allies in the Persian Gulf, the commander of U.S. forces in the Afghanistan campaign said Wednesday that nations participating in the coalition remained "very committed."

Gen. Tommy Franks was conducting his weeklong tour at a time when Muslim nations have raised concerns over possible civilian casualties in the U.S.-led airstrikes on Afghanistan.

In his first comments to reporters since the U.S.-led campaign began Oct. 7, the Army general underlined that the United States was trying to avoid hitting civilians in its campaign in Afghanistan, which harbors Osama bin Laden, the prime suspect in the Sept. 11 terror attacks on America.

"What we have tried to do is be absolutely honest with the people in this region and the people in our own country in describing where we have had mistakes, where we have had civilian casualties," Franks said in Bahrain. "I can tell you that there always is concern, as there should be, for civilian casualties."

He accused the Taliban of reporting "untruths about the casualty situation." He said the issue of civilian casualties has "not been raised or dwelled on" during his talks in the region.

The Taliban say numerous civilians have been killed. The Pentagon has acknowledged that some bombs missed their targets but says Taliban casualty figures are inflated.

There is unease in the Middle East with the U.S. bombing campaign against Afghanistan, a fellow Muslim nation. Criticism on the streets and in the mosques has increased in recent weeks, and civilian casualties could put pressure on governments to distance themselves from U.S. actions.

Franks declined to comment on whether the United States would continue the campaign during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which begins in mid-November. U.S. warplanes flying over Afghanistan from aircraft carriers in the Arabian Sea have refrained from dropping bombs on Fridays, the weekly sabbath for Muslims.

The four-star general, who is based in Tampa, Fla., spoke after holding talks with the Bahraini emir, Sheik Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. His weeklong tour has also taken him to the United Arab Emirates and to troops on U.S. Navy ships.

"My sense is that the nations who have joined in this effort remain very, very committed," Franks said. "This campaign against terrorism is a global effort."

Upcoming stops on Franks' tour have not been revealed for security reasons. He was accompanied by Adm. Craig Quigley, the military's top uniformed spokesman.

AP-WS-10-24-01 1157EDT