Gen. David Petraeus, added his voice to mounting protests from the U.S. and abroad on the plans of the Dove World Outreach Center to burn Korans on Saturday to mark the anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 11 September. His remarks increased the pressure on once-obscure pastor Terry Jones to cancel the event.
The controversy arises when some 120,000 U.S. troops and its allies are waging a counterinsurgency campaign against the Taliban in Afghanistan, a campaign whose goals include winning support for the US-backed government of the majority Muslim population.
General Petraeus said that Korans burning "is precisely the kind of approach to the Taliban uses and could cause major problems - not only here but around the world who are committed to the Islamic community," according to CNN.
"It could endanger the troops and that could jeopardize the overall effort in Afghanistan," Gen. David Petraeus said in a statement issued on Monday ...
"Even the rumor that could take place as has provoked demonstrations that took place yesterday in Kabul," he said. "If burning to take place, the safety of our soldiers and civilians would be endangered and fulfillment of the mission would be more difficult."
Mr. Jones, the pastor of the center in Gainesville, Florida, has promoted the activity as "International Day of Burn the Koran." Jones also authored a book entitled "Islam is the devil", which has a Facebook page and Twitter.
In statements published by Florida radio station Tuesday morning WOKV, Jones insisted that it would not be deterred.
"We believe the message is so important," said the Rev. Terry Jones. "We can not back out of fear, because if down, not make the more moderate Islam," said Jones.
On Monday, about 500 people gathered in Kabul to protest the plans of the church in Florida, and to demand the withdrawal of U.S. troops Afghanistan.
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