U.S. Defense chief apologizes for "inappropriate treatment" of KoranFebruary 21, 2012 - 14:43 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta apologized Tuesday, February 21 for the "inappropriate treatment" of copies of the Koran at an American base in Afghanistan and promised a swift investigation, AFP reported. Panetta's statement came as protesters besieged the Bagram air base in Afghanistan shouting "Death to Americans" following reports that NATO troops had burned the Muslim holy book. The defense secretary said he had been notified by the U.S. commander of the NATO-led force in Afghanistan, General John Allen, "of the deeply unfortunate incident involving the inappropriate treatment of religious materials, including the Koran, at Bagram Airbase." "He and I apologize to the Afghan people and disapprove of such conduct in the strongest possible terms," Panetta said, adding that the actions did not represent the views of the U.S. military. "I support General Allen's swift and decisive action to investigate this matter jointly with the Afghan government," he said. "I will carefully review the final results of the investigation to ensure that we take all steps necessary and appropriate so that this never happens again." Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | CSTO budget “to be adjusted due to Yerevan’s non-payment of contributions” The CSTO budget for the current year requires adjustments due to the refusal of Yerevan to pay their share of contributions. Russia sends note of protest to Armenia over envoy’s trip to Ukraine’s Bucha Russia has sent a note of protest to Armenia over the visit of Vladimir Karapetyan and Tigran Ter-Margaryan to Bucha. Armenia: Protesters march to parliament, some spend the night on street The protesters did not disperse despite heavy rain that began at around 2 a.m. local time. Concept to complete Yerevan Cascade discussed at city hall A conceptual proposal to complete the Cascade complex in downtown Yerevan has been presented by Jean-Michel Wilmotte. |