Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Obama wants probe of photos of troops with dead Afghans; Panetta apologizes
Edition of a newspaper showing a picture of US soldiers and Afghan policemen posing with the mangled remains of a suspected Taliban suicide bomber in Afghanistan.
President Barack Obama wants an investigation into photographs that have surfaced of US soldiers posing with the bodies of dead Afghan insurgents and that those responsible be held accountable, the White House said today.
"The conduct depicted in those photos is reprehensible," White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters aboard Air Force One as Obama flew to Ohio for an economic speech.
Earlier, Defence Secretary Leon Panetta apologised for the photographs. "I know war is ugly ... I know young people sometimes caught up in the moment ... make some very foolish decisions," Panetta told a news conference during a meeting of NATO allies in Brussels.
"I am not excusing that." He added: "My apology is on behalf of the Department of Defense and the US government."
"The conduct depicted in those photos is reprehensible," White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters aboard Air Force One as Obama flew to Ohio for an economic speech.
Earlier, Defence Secretary Leon Panetta apologised for the photographs. "I know war is ugly ... I know young people sometimes caught up in the moment ... make some very foolish decisions," Panetta told a news conference during a meeting of NATO allies in Brussels.
"I am not excusing that." He added: "My apology is on behalf of the Department of Defense and the US government."
COMMENTS >
Director: Orlando Mario Vignatti - Edition No. 3676 - This publication is a property of NEFIR S.A. - Issn 1852 - 9224 - Te. 4349-1500 - Paseo Colón 1196, (C1063ACY) CABA