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"There
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Additional
Reporting By Subhy Haddad, IOL Correspondent
BAGHDAD,
Aug 14 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - The commander of the
U.S.-led occupation forces in Iraq apologized Thursday, August 14, to
Iraqi Shiites for killing an Iraqi boy and wounding several others by
U.S. troops in a demonstration a day earlier that sent thousands of
protestors into the streets railing against occupation, but the offer,
however, was rejected by Shiites.
A
letter of apology, a copy of which was given to Agence France-Presse
(AFP) by a Shiite scholar, was handed to Shiite scholars for the
incident, prompted by the removal of a religious flag from a
communications tower, and also promised to punish the soldiers
responsible.
"In
fact there has been an apology issued by the commander on the ground
because of the incident that blew down that flag, and our
investigation continues at this point," Lieutenant General
Ricardo Sanchez told reporters.
Up
to 3,000 Shiites took to the streets
at Baghdad's al-Thawra (now renamed Al-Sadr City) district on
Wednesday, August 13, following an attempt by a U.S. helicopter to
lift a religious flag raised by the demonstrators on a commun-cations
tower in the district.
The
flag, according to the demonstrators, represented the famous Muslim
Imam Al-Mahdi, believed to be the last of 12 Imams who descends from
Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). U.S. troops fired into the angry crowd,
killing an Iraqi boy and wounded several others.
"We
deeply regret what happened today (Wednesday)," said the letter
signed by Christopher Hoffman of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment.
The
letter dated August 13, with a letterhead giving Hoffman's name and
army unit, said "what happened was a mistake and was not directed
against the people of Sadr City. I am personally investigating this
incident and will punish those that are responsible."
Hoffman
also promised to reduce the number of helicopter and ground patrols in
Sadr City and offered to meet clerics to discuss what he called
"reimbursement."
On
August 7, Sanchez decided to scale down raids on Iraqis and
house-to-house searches, admitting that
this "iron-fisted" approach has proved counterproductive and
alienated the people of Iraq.
Rejected
But
Sheikh Qais al-Kazali, who gave the letter to AFP and said he was
deputy secretary to firebrand anti-occupation Shiite cleric Moqtada
Sadr, said the offer was being rejected.
"We
want a public apology and legal compensation for the victims," he
said, adding that the apology must be published in English- and
Arabic-language newspapers here.
Kazali
warned that the people of Sadr City were furious over what happened
and could retaliate if further provoked.
"We
are ready to defend our religion. I heard that there are people here
who are preparing mines and suicide explosive belts, and others are
ready to use RPGs. We have difficulties controlling the people.
"If
the Americans promise not to come back to Sadr City nothing will
happen. If they do the situation will be worse," Kazali said.
It
was the first armed clash between U.S. forces and Shiites in Baghdad
since the beginning of the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq on April 9.
