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Obama: My Koran Apology Calmed Tensions

Politics comes second to protecting troops, he says

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 1, 2012 4:29 AM CST

(Newser) – Saying sorry to Afghan President Hamid Karzai for the accidental burning of Korans by US troops helped calm tensions, President Obama says. "We're not out of the woods yet," he told ABC. "But my criteria in any decision I make, getting recommendations from folks who are actually on the ground, is what is going to best protect our folks, and make sure that they can accomplish their mission."

"Everything else—the politics or second guessing of these various decisions—I'm not worried about," Obama said, speaking hours before a formal White House dinner to honor Iraq war veterans. Obama's apology for the Koran-burning angered conservatives, including Newt Gingrich, Sarah Palin and Rick Santorum.

President Obama speaks at a White House dinner to honor Iraq veterans last night.
President Obama speaks at a White House dinner to honor Iraq veterans last night.   (Getty Images)
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President Obama discusses the Koran-burning incident with ABC's Bob Woodruff.   (ABC)

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 81 comments
Ucantusethatname
Mar 11, 2012 2:14 PM CDT
Where was Obama's apology when Bibles sent to Afghanistan were burned? I guess burning only Korans matter. (See http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/20/us.military.bibles.burned.)
miamisun
Mar 1, 2012 7:01 PM CST
Yes and sticking your head in the sand also calms tensions. You show weakness to these maniacs it only intices them to attack.
fractal
Mar 1, 2012 5:42 PM CST
Ok, I think I get it.  Obama has great credentials when it comes to foreign policy.  So righty pays trolls to go on news sites and keep repeating the same old Faux news talking points---repetition is all you have left in that arsenal, isn't it, righty?   Right on schedule for the election.
 

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