Petraeus calls civilian deaths key issue

KABUL, Afghanistan, May 21 (UPI) -- U.S. Gen. David Petraeus is warning his troops in Afghanistan of a likely Taliban summer offensive and stressing the need to avoid civilian casualties.

In a memo to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force issued last weekend that was made public Saturday, Petraeus said, "It is likely that our enemies will pursue high-profile attacks this summer in an attempt to demonstrate continued capability.

"In the face of such enemy actions, we must continue our efforts to reduce civilian casualties to an absolute minimum," he said.

The directive follows increased attacks claimed by Taliban and al-Qaida in Afghanistan and Pakistan in retaliation for the killing of Osama bin Laden. NATO airstrikes and night raids have killed non-combatants and roused anger in both countries.

Petraeus ordered his commanders to review procedures on reducing civilian casualties, saying, "No issue highlights more the need to balance tactical aggressiveness with tactical patience."

The general issued his memo as he plans troop cutbacks in Afghanistan to meet President Barack Obama's self-imposed deadline to begin withdrawing U.S. forces by July.