US sub commander's regret

The sub is being examined to determine damage

The commander of the US submarine which sank a Japanese fishing vessel has broken his silence and expressed his regret over the incident which left nine Japanese dead.

"No words can adequately express my condolences and concern," he said.

No words can adequately express my condolences

Commander Waddle

But in a written statement, broadcast on Japanese television, Commander Scott Waddle stopped short of apologising and families of the victims say they are not satisfied.

The USS Greeneville rammed the Ehime Maru on 9 February while demonstrating an emergency ascent manoeuvre off the Hawaiian islands to a group of civilian visitors.

Commander Waddle: no apology

Washington has launched a full investigation amid allegations that the civilians on board the Greeneville distracted the crew.

In his statement, Commander Waddle said he grieved for the families of the dead from the Ehime Maru, and the catastrophic losses they had endured.

"It is with a heavy heart that I express my most sincere regret," he said.

"No words can adequately express my condolences and concern."

Apology demand

The families of the dead have demanded a personal apology from Commander Waddle.

Shunsuke Terata, whose 17-year old brother is one of the nine victims, said he refused to accept the commander's expression of regret as an apology.

It is not an apology until he says it to each one of us in person

Shunsuke Terata, relative

"It is not an apology until he says it to each one of us in person," he said.

Two civilians were at control positions aboard the submarine USS Greeneville at the time of the accident, although the US Navy says the civilians did not cause it.

Relatives want to know why the accident happened

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori has described the allegations as "deplorable" and called for an intensive probe.

Commander Waddle said it was his most sincere desire to determine the truth of what happened so that such accidents never occurred again.

US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has called a ban on civilians taking the controls of all US military vehicles, ships, and aircraft.