First, the "Apology", Then the "Payoff"

The United States has paid $50,000 in compensation for each Afghan person killed by Staff Sergeant Robert Bales in southern Afghanistan two weeks ago, according to The Associated Press.

Kandahar provincial council member Agha Lalai and community Jan Agha confirmed that the victim’s families received payments Saturday, with those who were wounded also receiving compensation in the form of $11,000. A U.S. official would not confirm or deny the amount paid out but did indicated that payments have been made to families.

[...]

The families previously received compensation, $2,000 for each death and $1,000 for each person wounded, from Afghan officials.

  

Make of that what you will.