Media Releases

Mistaken Identification of Remains (I)

Embassy of the United States of America
Suva, Fiji
Monday, 02May, 2005

The Embassy regrets to advise there appears to have been an error in the identification of the remains of the Fijian security guards killed in the shooting down of a civilian helicopter in Iraq April 21.  From information we have received from Kuwait, it appears that one set of remains identified as Fijian may in fact be of an American killed in the same attack.

We know this mistake can only increase the anguish felt by the families and friends of Waisea Atalifo and Timoci Lalaqila.  The United States government is doing everything it can to identify the remains as quickly as possible.  To this end, a forensic expert is preparing to travel to Fiji immediately to work with the Ministry of Health in obtaining DNA samples to be sent to the United States for testing and verification.

The Embassy extends its deepest condolences to the families of these two brave men who died in the effort to bring peace and democracy to the people of Iraq.  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.

Our prayers and sympathies are with the families and friends of Mr. Atalifo and Mr. Lalaqila.