BEIJING, June 2 (Xinhuanet) -- The Iraqi government
announced Thursday to open its own investigation into the alleged killings of 24
Iraqis by U.S. marines in Haditha in November 2005, taking a tough stance on the
deaths.
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said
that the dignity of Iraq had been trampled, and he promised to open talks with
foreign soldiers to set ground rules for raids and detentions.
"These forces do not respect the citizens, some of
whom have been crushed by tanks and others shot. We must speak with them and fix
a definition of the obligations of foreign forces," Prime Minister Nuri
al-Maliki said after a Cabinet meeting.
Maliki said he had ordered the "national security
ministerial committee to follow up on this issue with the multinational forces."
When asked about Iraqi complaints that US forces show no regard for their lives
during raids and detentions, Maliki said he objected to such practices.
"We cannot forgive violations of the dignity of the
Iraqi people," he said.
The announcement came as U.S. military commanders
ordered ethics training for U.S. troops on Thursday, to reinforce "legal, moral
and ethical standards on the battlefield."
Also on Thursday, U.S. President repeated his pledge
that the results of the inquiries would be disclosed.
"One of the things that happens in a transparent
society like ours is that there will be a full and complete investigation," he
said. "The world will see the full and complete investigation." Enditem
(Agencies)
