John Broder and Eric Schmitt on CNN tonight said that military officials confirmed to him that new intelligence suggests that some of mechanics who strayed off the main road over the weekend were executed by Iraqi captors. This is apparently based on an intercepted converstation. Even though as of yet there is only a single source for this information, it appears credible when considered with the pictures shown over weekend of some GI's who appeared to have been shot at close range.

There were witnesses, townspeople present, during the alleged executions and an investigation is ongoing in which the Government is seeking corroborating evidence.

Some of the Army mechanics captured on Sunday after they took a wrong turn in the Iraqi town of Nasiriya were apparently executed by their captors, probably in front of townspeople, American officials charged tonight. The officials cautioned that the information was based on one source, apparently a communications intercept, and that they were seeking corroborating evidence. It is unclear how many of the seven soldiers were executed, rather than killed in fighting, as the Iraqis contend. Five other Americans were taken prisoner and at least three were still missing.