Jump to main content

This is historical material “frozen in time”. The website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work.

Search form

Call with President Karzai Following the Report of Afghan Civilian Casualties

March 11, 2012 at 8:04 PM ET by
Summary: 
President Obama reached out to President Karzai Sunday following the reported killing and wounding of Afghan civilians.

Sunday afternoon, President Obama called President Karzai to express his shock and sadness at the reported killing and wounding of Afghan civilians.  President Obama extended his condolences to the people of Afghanistan, and made clar his Administration's commitment to establish the facts as quickly as possible and to hold fully accountable anyone responsible.  He further reaffirmed the United States' deep respect for the Afghan people and the bonds between the two countries.

Karzai call

President Barack Obama talks on the phone with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai from his vehicle outside the Jane E. Lawton Community Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland, Sunday, March 11, 2012. The President called to express his shock and sadness over the reported killing of Afghan civilians. March 11, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

In a statement earlier in the day, the President described the incident as "tragic and shocking, and does not represent the exceptional character of our military and the respect that the United States has for the people of Afghanistan."