EU nations call for Sri Lanka war crimes probe

European Union nations called on Monday for an independent war crimes investigation into the killing of civilians in Sri Lanka.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Kohout, who chaired EU foreign ministers talks, said the EU wanted alleged violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws investigated.

It remained unclear who the EU wanted to carry out such a probe. Kohout suggested "national authorities" in Sri Lanka, but also mentioned UN officials.

"Those accountable must be brought to justice," the ministers said in a statement.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said there have been "very grave allegations" of war crimes on both sides of the conflict and "they should be properly investigated".

But others said the priority should be on getting humanitarian aid to civilians caught in the crossfire.

"Now we face an extremely difficult humanitarian situation," said EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner. "What we are asking is that the United Nations has access to these civilians."

She said the European Commission stood ready to provide extra aid. It gave euro 3 million (USD 4 million) in emergency funding for the International Red Cross in April.