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Monday, May 2, 2005 · Last updated 3:59 a.m. PT

Fiji family may have gotten wrong remains

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SUVA, Fiji -- The U.S. embassy has asked two Fijian families to postpone the funerals of their sons who died in a helicopter crash in Iraq because they are believed to have been sent the wrong remains, the embassy said Monday.

In an apologetic statement the embassy said that a forensic expert was being sent to Fiji immediately to work with the ministry of health in obtaining DNA samples for testing in the United States.

"We know this mistake can only increase the anguish felt by the families and friends of Waisea Atalifo and Timoci Lalaqila," the statement said.

Atalifo and Lalaqila - both from the Fijian capital Suva - were among 11 killed last month in the downing of a civilian helicopter outside Baghdad on Thursday. The Fijians were working as private security guards in Iraq.

An Islamic militant group claimed responsibility for shooting down the Russian-made helicopter, saying in an Internet posting that it captured and killed the lone crew member who survived.

The dead from the crash included six American bodyguards for U.S. diplomats, the two Fijians and the helicopter's three-man Bulgarian crew.

"The United States government is doing everything it can to identify the remains as quickly as possible," the embassy statement said.

It added: "We sincerely apologize for the bodies being misidentified in Kuwait and will be doing everything we can to ensure that the right remains are released to the right families, both in Fiji and the United States, as soon as they can be conclusively identified."

The two bodies arrived in Fiji over the weekend. It was not immediately clear why doubt has been cast on their identities.

More than 1,000 Fijians are employed as private bodyguards by Iraq security companies. About 160 Fijian regular troops guard United Nations staff there.