Following is an excerpt of the deputy spokesman's comments on Afghanistan taken from the August 19 regular press briefing.

QUESTION: Yes. The question of those alleged mass graves in northern Afghanistan has arisen again. Does the United States believe there is any substance to these reports? And what's your position on whether an investigation is warranted?

MR. REEKER: We are looking into the circumstances surrounding the events that are reported in recent press coverage, as well as other allegations of human rights abuses and war crimes, through our Embassy in Kabul. We've stressed, and continue to stress, to Afghan authorities the importance of investigating allegations of human rights violations and war crimes. We're going to continue to engage Afghan authorities on this matter in order to help seek accountability for any violations that may have occurred.

And as I indicated, I think it's very important that everyone within the Afghan Transitional Administration remain united in their efforts to build a unified Afghanistan that rejoins the community of nations and can offer hope of economic reconstruction and prosperity for all Afghans.

QUESTION: And if I can just follow up. I mean that's all very well, but you don't -- do you have any -- have you seen any evidence of any kind that suggests that there may be some substance here?

MR. REEKER: We're looking into it. I don't have anything specific to report for you. But looking into the circumstances surrounding the event and these allegations, and our Embassy in Kabul is spearheading that effort.

QUESTION: Okay. You talk about the Afghan authorities investigating. Do you think that it may be appropriate for an outside body to take part in these investigations?

MR. REEKER: At this point, Jonathan, I just think we need to look into it, and if we have something more to say about the story, the allegations, anything that we're able to learn about it, then I'll endeavor to share it with you.

QUESTION: Thank you.