Korean killings settlement before Clinton goes

The United States government says it hopes to close an infamous chapter of Korean Warb history before President Clinton leaves office next month.

At the end of lengthy joint negotiations into the killing of Korean civilians by American troops in the early stages of the war, American officials confirmed that a statement of regret -- rather than an apology -- would be issued.

They say Washington is also considering erecting a monument to all civilians killed in the war in the early Nineteen-Fifties.

South Korea alleges the American troops were ordered to massacre nearly two-hundred-and-fifty refugees in the incident at No Gun Ri.

Washington disputes the number of people who died and blames the killings on panic. Both sides are to meet again -- possibly next week -- to finalise the settlement of the issue.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service