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Bush Apologizes for Koran Target Practice

But Iraq is calling for a trial for shoot-'em-up soldier

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted May 21, 2008 4:30 AM CDT
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(Newser) – President Bush yesterday called Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki to personally apologize for the use of a Koran in target practice by a US military sniper. Maliki told Bush the incident was humiliating for Muslims and indicated the apology may not be enough, Reuters reports. The soldier who shot up the holy book has been sent back to the US, and he and his commander apologized for the incident last week.

"We need to try this soldier since he committed a grievous crime," said an Iraqi government spokesman. "This is what the Iraqi government wants. It is not satisfied with just an apology."

US Army soldiers from the 3rd Special Troops Battalion in combat in Baghdad. The discovery that a US sniper used a Koran for target practice has triggered an uproar in Washington and Iraq.
US Army soldiers from the 3rd Special Troops Battalion in combat in Baghdad. The discovery that a US sniper used a Koran for target practice has triggered an uproar in Washington and Iraq.   (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
George W. Bush views a handwritten copy of the Koran during a visit to Saudi Arabia. He has apologized to the Iraqi government over an incident in which a US sniper used a Koran as target practice.
George W. Bush views a handwritten copy of the Koran during a visit to Saudi Arabia. He has apologized to the Iraqi government over an incident in which a US sniper used a Koran as target practice.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. He told President Bush the use of the Koran for target practice by a US sniper has humiliated Iraqi Muslims.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. He told President Bush the use of the Koran for target practice by a US sniper has humiliated Iraqi Muslims.   (Getty Images (by Event) Individuals)
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Reactions: defusing a Koran shooting in Iraq
New York Times

Bush apology for Koran shooting
BBC

Another shameful act: U.S. sniper shoots at Holy Qurâ??an
Tehran Times

 
Islam • Nouri al-Maliki • Koran • Dana Perino • George W. Bush • target practice

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