Iraq Vice Pres: Media revealed "the tip of the iceberg"

azzaman:Denunciation of U.S. troops' violations in the country is not enough, said Vice-President Tareq al-Hashemi.

"I demand that an independent commission be set up to investigate these investigations," he said.

Hashemi said U.S. troops were committing atrocities with impunity in several towns and cities in Iraq.

"In regard to the massacres American troops have carried out in Haditha, Samarra, Ishaqi and other areas, we share with the Iraqis their shock at these horrendous crimes," Hashemi said.

Therefore, he added, the Iraqi government "should not stop at condemning and denouncing (these crimes) - a neutral commission involving the United Nations and a joint Iraqi-American committee should be formed to looked into these violations."

Hashemi said the perpetrators of "these horrific acts" should be put on trial and the innocent victims and their families handsomely compensated.

Hashemi said what international media have revealed is just "the tip of the iceberg".

"This sad scene will continue and the media will keep communicating to us more sad news about new hideous crimes and appalling violations that have become a stigma of shame on the forehead of humanity," Hashemi said.

He said these dreadful crimes make it vital and necessary to seriously think of "setting a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign troops from the country." Link