(Iraq) PM receives official apology from Bush over insult to Qur'an

[sabra]

Source: Voice of Iraq

Baghdad, May 20, (VOI) – Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki received an official apology from U.S. President George W. Bush on a U.S. army soldier's use of a copy of the holy book of Qur'an as a shooting target, according to the semi-official al-Iraqiya TV station.

Earlier, the commander of the U.S. army in Iraq, General Lloyd Austin, apologized for Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani and Vice President Tareq al-Hashimi over the incident.

"Mashhadani received at his office in Baghdad the commander of the U.S. army in Iraq who apologized for the conduct of a U.S. soldier that opened fire at a copy of the book of Qur'an," according to a statement by Mashhadani's office as received by Aswat al-Iraq – Voices of Iraq – (VOI).

"General Austin stressed that the U.S. soldier was suspended and is now under investigative custody," the statement read.
For his part, Mashhadani said the U.S. soldier's conduct was "personal and individual but there are concerns that this incident might be misused for ill purposes," hoping "such incidents by some foolish soldiers would not be repeated."
Another statement by Hashimi's office noted that Austin has also apologized for Hashimi over the same incident.
"Feelings of bitterness and anger could not be alleviated except by a deterrent penalty and real guarantees this would not happen again in the future. This is what we expect from the U.S. army," according to a statement by Hashimi's office as received by VOI.

Read more: http://www.aswataliraq.info/look/english/article.tpl?IdLanguage=1&IdPublication=4&NrArticle=79785&NrIssue=2&NrSection=1

[Newsjock]

1. Yet if the Iraqis had shot up a Holy Bible ...

... we'd be hearing about it 24/7 on CNN, MSNBC, and Fox Noise, complete with all the blowhards calling for "swift and decisive retribution" against the infidels responsible.

But because it's a Quran, this story is sinking without a trace, and nary a peep of outrage.

[zbdent]

2. so ... Bush appeased the Iranians?

gee ... what a traitor ...

[uppityperson]

3. Good. He should have. Glad he did. eom

[gatorboy]

4. Anyone hear what the Feepers have to say about this?

I'm sure a few heads have exploded by now.

[MissMillie]

5. well, I suppose that's one way to get sent home

the apology was appropriate, of course.


We should apologize for a lot more than that.

[jmowreader]

6. "Well," said the Iraqi, "if THAT's all it takes to get them gone..."

If shooting a Koran is enough to get a soldier removed from the theater, you know some enterprising Iraqi is going to get a case of Gideon Korans, put 'em up on the wall of a Wolfburger trailer, and invite whole units to shoot them up. Within two months the entire occupation force will be back at Fort Hood.

[ohio2007]

7. imo, quite the dog and pony show trick. Faster then the Popes recanting of some 500 year old quote.

ah,
but will the minions seethe if this book shooting is mentioned at the next friday prayer meetings.... without the official appeasing apology of course ;)