Obama Offers Condolences to Hamid Karzai
President Obama called Hamid Karzai from the presidential limousine on his way to watch daughter Sasha play basketball on Sunday afternoon, and told the president of Afghanistan he wanted to "express his shock and sadness" over the brutal murder of 16 Afghan civilians, including 9 children, by a U.S. Army sergeant, The Oval reports.
Obama also "extended his condolences to the people of Afghanistan, and made clear his Administration's commitment to establish the facts as quickly as possible and to hold fully accountable anyone responsible," said a White House statement.
The president, who held an emergency security meeting today on Afganistan, also released a written statement on the tragedy:
“I am deeply saddened by the reported killing and wounding of Afghan civilians. This incident is 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."
"I offer my condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, and to the people of Afghanistan, who have endured too much violence and suffering.