1 apology, another coming?

C.I.R. Press Editorial

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Well a republican retired USMC Colonel has apologized regarding his comments over the Haditha controversy. I’d say that is a pretty stand up thing to do, the question is will that other Congressman apologize or continue to consider them cold blooded killers prior to any charges?

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. lawmaker apologized on Tuesday to U.S. Marines under nvestigation in the deaths of two dozen Iraqi civilians in Haditha in a statement his office said spared him from a libel lawsuit.

Minnesota Republican Rep. John Kline, a retired Marine Corps colonel, issued a three-paragraph statement under a deal with lawyers for Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich, one of the Marines under investigation.

Wuterich's lawyers filed a libel lawsuit against another congressman, Democratic Rep. John Murtha of
Pennsylvania, on August 2 following his comments on the case.

"Some news outlets have promoted incomplete statements attributed to me that gave the false impression that I have concluded those involved committed unlawful acts," Kline said in the
statement provided by his office.

"I am, of course, very concerned regarding any allegations surrounding misconduct by U.S. troops in Iraq. Such allegations must be taken seriously, but we should never rush to judgment before all the facts are known and the military criminal justice process is completed," Kline said.

Kline added, "I want to express my sincere apology" to the Marines in the unit that was in Haditha last November 19…

-md