Statement by U.S. Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry On the Killings in Badakhshan

August 8, 2010

Good afternoon. The United States is shocked and saddened by the killing of 10 medical aid workers -- including Americans, Afghans and others -- in the remote forests of Badakhshan Province. 

Our Consular personnel and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agents assigned to the United States Embassy in Kabul, alongside Afghan counterparts and representatives of the United Kingdom and German Embassies, are now working to identify the victims of this very tragic attack.

Our hearts go out to the families and the friends of those who lost loved ones in this heart-wrenching incident. I will be making a call later today to Mr. Dirk Frans, the Executive Director of the International Assistance Mission – Afghanistan, to express condolences on behalf of all Americans.

Militant, extremist Taliban have claimed responsibility for these killings. We do not know whether they are responsible or simply taking credit for the cowardly and despicable acts of others.

The Taliban has called this group of medical aid workers spies and proselytizers. They were no such thing. These were selfless volunteers who devoted themselves to providing free and much-needed healthcare to Afghans in the most remote and difficult parts of your country.

Their murder demonstrates the absolute disregard that terrorist-inspired Taliban and other insurgents have for your health, have for your security and have for your opportunity. They don’t care about your future. They only care about themselves and their own ideology.

As we mourn the loss of these very brave men and women, we draw courage and inspiration from their example. The United States of America will continue standing with our Afghan partners.  We are with you, working towards the day that you are no longer subject to the threat, the violence and the intimidation of such twisted terrorist groups.