Italians protest in front of the US embassy in Rome. Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena fanned a growing diplomatic rift between Rome and Washington by suggesting US soldiers deliberately tried to target her in an gunfight that killed compatriot Nicola Calipari. (Xinhua/AFP photo)

Rosa Maria Calipari, third from right, sits beside the coffin of her husband Italian intelligence officer Nicola Calipari at the Vittoriano Tomb of the Unknown Soldier monument, in Rome, Sunday, March 6, 2005. Sgrena, who was wounded by American troops in Baghdad shortly after she was released by her Iraqi captors denied U.S. allegations that the car she was in was speeding, and described how Calipari, who had rescued her died protecting her. (AP Photo)

     WASHINGTON, March 6 (Xinhuanet) -- A senior White House official on Sunday called the wounding of Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena by US troops in Iraq a "horrific accident" and promised a full investigation.

    "This is a horrific accident, on which President Bush personally called Prime Minister Berlusconi to offer his condolences, as well as to make sure that there is a full investigation, so we're able to understand the very facts that arenow being discussed," White House counselor Dan Bartlett said on CNN's "Late Edition".

    Trying to defuse the crisis which has fueled anti-American sentiment in Italy, Bartlett said that "As you know, in a situation where there is a live combat zone, particularly this road to the airport has been a notorious area for car bombs, that people are making split-second decisions, and it's critically important that we get the facts before we make judgments."

    Kidnapped on Feb. 4, Sgrena was freed and handed over to three Italian agents on Friday who drove her toward Baghdad airport, butthe car came under US fire at a checkpoint. An Italian secret service agent was killed and three others including Sgrena were wounded.

    The US military said the car Sgrena was riding in was speeding as it approached the coalition checkpoint in western Baghdad and soldiers opened fire after the driver ignored warning.

    Sgrena, who flied back to Italy on Saturday, disputed the version, saying that her car was moving slowly when approaching the checkpoint and there was no signal to stop. The journalist, who works for the Italian left-wing newspaper Il Manifesto, also hinted that it was possible she was targeted deliberately.

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