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09 March 2004

U.S. Says It Takes Seriously Allegations of Abuse in Afghanistan

Answer to question taken at March 8 State Department briefing

Following is the official answer to a question taken at the March 8 regular State Department briefing; the answer was posted later in the day:

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
March 8, 2004

QUESTION TAKEN AT MARCH 8, 2004 DAILY PRESS BRIEFING

Human Rights Watch Report on Afghan Prisoners

Question: Any reaction to the Human Rights Watch report that U.S. soldiers are abusing Afghan prisoners?

Answer: We are aware of the allegations in the Human Rights Watch report "Enduring Freedom." The United States takes seriously reports of excessive use of force and allegations of inappropriate or wrongful behavior by U.S. forces, including violations of international law. The U.S. investigates all credible reports and, where substantiated, has taken appropriate action against those that have engaged in wrongful conduct.

Afghanistan remains a combat zone and forces there are engaged in combat operations against determined enemy forces. Combat operations are conducted in accordance with the Law of Armed Conflict and relevant rules of engagement.

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)