2006年VOA标准英语-Iraq Will Investigate Allegations Against

（单词翻译）

By Scott Stearns
White House
01 June 2006

Iraq will launch its own investigation¹ into reports that U.S. Marines last year intentionally³ killed as many as 24 unarmed civilians⁴ in the town of Haditha.  U.S. military leaders are ordering mandatory⁵ training on legal, moral, and ethical⁶ battlefield standards.

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U.S. commanders in Iraq say the training will emphasize professional military values and the importance of disciplined conduct in combat

President Bush says he is troubled by the allegations against U.S. forces in Haditha and believes the additional training will remind troops about what it means to adhere to rules of engagement.

"Our troops have been trained on core values throughout their training, but obviously there was an incident that took place in Iraq that is now being investigated, and this is just a reminder⁷ for troops either in Iraq or throughout our military that there are high standards expected of them and that there are strong rules of engagement," he said.

President Bush says there will be a full and complete investigation into what happened in Haditha last November, when news reports say Marines opened fire on civilians after a member of their squad⁸ was killed by a roadside bomb.

"The United States of America has got a willingness to deal with issues like this in an upfront way, in an open way and correct problems," he said. "And that is what you are going to see unfold."

President Bush says if there is evidence of wrong-doing on the part of U.S. troops, those responsible will be held to account.

The New York Times reports that the ongoing⁹ military investigation contradicts Marine² claims that 15 civilians were killed by a roadside bomb and in an ensuing gun battle with insurgents¹⁰.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has denounced the alleged¹¹ killings¹² and says the government in Baghdad will launch its own investigation.

At a news conference following a cabinet meeting, the prime minister called for talks with coalition¹³ forces about their rules of engagement in Iraq.