WASHINGTON, Oct 27 (AFP) - The United States downplayed Wednesday interim Iraqi prime minister Iyad Allawi's charge of "negligence" by members of the multinational force in Iraq after 49 recruits for Iraq's new army were massacred.
The State Department said that according to Allawi aides the Iraqi interim government was not referring to anyone in particular and saw terrorists alone as being to blame.
"Let's put the blame where the blame belongs. That's not on the coalition forces or on Prime Minister Allawi. The blame is squarely on those who did this, these murderers, these terrorists," Secretary of State Colin Powell said on CNBC.
"Now, we have to look in to see whether or not there were some lapses in security, but I think it's premature to blame anyone for this other than the terrorists who committed the act."
In one of the worst strikes against the country's fledgling security forces, 49 army recruits and three drivers were shot dead on Saturday as they traveled home after completing a training course in eastern Iraq.
"I think it was because of gross negligence by some elements within the multinational forces," Allawi said about the ambush, without giving details.
"The killings represent the epitome of what could be done to hurt Iraq and the Iraqi people," he told the interim parliament, adding that a special investigation had been launched.
State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said "they weren't trying to assign any blame to the United States or US forces. And in fact the matter is still under investigation. So I think we've seen that further explanation from his national security adviser about the quotes.
"We could certainly understand what a trying and difficult experience this event was for the people involved and for the Iraqi government, and I'm sure they will try to get to the bottom of it and figure out what factors might have led to the events," said Boucher.
"And that matter is still under investigation."
10/27/2004 19:32 GMT - AFP