Bush Did Not Apologize for Koran-Shooting, Soldier is Not Being Tried

Tue, May 20, 2008 at 8:34:58 am PST

Since the media are doing their best to inflame all sides over this Koran-shooting incident, please note that contrary to dozens of wire stories, President Bush “expressed deep concern” to Iraq PM al-Maliki, but he did not apologize. And the soldier responsible is not going to be put on trial.

White House Denies Bush Quran Apology.

WASHINGTON (May 20) — Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki’s office said Tuesday that President Bush apologized for a U.S. soldier shooting at a Quran, but the White House later said Bush expressed “deep concern” and stopped short of apologizing.

National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the president spoke to Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Monday in one of their scheduled video teleconferences, which occur every week or two.

“President Bush expressed his deep concern over the incident and told Prime Minister [al-Maliki] that the soldier has been reprimanded by his commanders and removed from Iraq,” Johndroe said.

However, al-Maliki’s office said Bush issued an apology on behalf of the United States and “promised to present the soldier to the courts.” The office said Bush apologized in a call to al-Maliki on Tuesday morning.

An American staff sergeant — a sniper section leader — used a Quran for target practice earlier this month.

The sergeant was relieved of duty as a section leader “with prejudice,” officially reprimanded by his commanding general, dismissed from his regiment and redeployed — reassigned to the United States.