In an attempt to repair US image among Arabs, US President George W. Bush vowed Wednesday that any American soldier guilty of "abhorrent" abuse of Iraqi prisoners will be punished. "We want to know the truth," Bush said in an interview with the US-sponsored al-Hurra television network, one of two he was giving. However, Bush did not apologize. He said he had discussed the scandal with US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld earlier in the day. "I said, 'find the truth, and then tell the Iraqi people and the world the truth,'" said Bush. "We have nothing to hide. We believe in transparency because we're a free society. That's what free societies do." "It's also important for the people of Iraq to know that in a democracy everything is not perfect, that mistakes are made. But in a democracy as well those mistakes will be investigated and people will be brought to justice." According to Bush, the American Army had launched an investigation in January but that he personally had not seen pictures until CBS television aired them one week ago. "First time I saw or heard about pictures was on TV," said Bush. "The American people are just as appalled" as Iraqis, Bush added. "The America I know is a compassionate country that believes in freedom. The America I know cares about every individual. The America I know has sent troops into Iraq to promote freedom, good honorable citizens that are helping Iraqis everyday," the US leader conveyed. **12 Iraqis, Occupation Soldier Killed in Karbala Clashes*** Twelve people were killed in clashes between occupation troops and Shiite fighters overnight in the southern cities of Diwaniyah and Karbala, occupation and Iraqi sources said. Nine Iraqi fighters were killed in clashes in Diwaniya, Ali Kharsan, spokesman for cleric Moqtada Sadr, said. Violence also ripped the Shiite shrine city of Karbala, where Polish troops conducted night patrols and exchanged fire with Sadr's followers. At least three people were killed, including an occupation soldier. The soldier, whose nationality was not immediately given, was killed in a battle in which occupation forces took over several buildings occupied by the Mehdi Army, an occupation statement said. Polish forces form the command element in Karbala, 110 kilometers south of Baghdad. They started distributing pamphlets late Tuesday warning they would conduct nightly patrols in order to disarm the Mehdi Army. In addition to the occupation soldier killed in Karbala, Police Captain Mohammed Salem and Dr. Ali al-Ardawi, director of Karabala's emergency hospital, said two other people were killed and one wounded in the battles. **PHOTO CAPTION*** George W. Bush is seeking 25 billion dollars more to defray military costs in Iraq and Afghanistan. (AFP)