MOSCOW (RIA Novosti political commentator Pyotr Romanov) - It is hard to envy the Americans: quarrelling with Allah is bad these days.
This comment naturally refers to the scandalous article in Newsweek that cited numerous cases of abuse of the Koran at the Guantanamo Bay base. As the flames of the scandal spread to Muslim countries, the Pentagon and the U.S. administration, journalists started correcting facts, softening them or presenting as untrue. But they failed to improve the situation.
First, according to the law known to all reporters, most people hear only the first, scandalous news, and only the few hear the refutation. Second, only the politicians of Muslim countries (at the best) and not the indignant masses will read the refutation, as the people are not interested in refutations in principle. The Islamic masses are convinced that the Americans hate Allah, Muhammad and the Koran per se.
Third, it does not matter if Newsweek reported lies or the truth when it cited Guantanamo inmates. The situation is much more complicated. The counter-terrorist operation, though correct and justified, inevitably includes the negative elements of any major brawl, as sinful mortals and not angels are fighting. Besides, the functions of prison wardens are fulfilled by a specific group of humans, and the hard duties are bound to have a negative influence on their psyche. Any psychologist will tell you that. And this is true of America, Russia or Muslim wardens.
And lastly, ordinary Muslims are more likely to believe in the Koran scandal because American GIs have more than once demonstrated their disregard for human lives and the religious feelings of Allah's followers during the operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Suffice it to recall the torture in Abu Ghraib or the unjustified chaotic and merciless bombing of such holy Muslim places as Fallujah. This is a good background for believing that an American GI can flush a holy book down the toilet.
This certainly is not Washington's policy. Likewise, this can be part of the satanic designs of terrorist inmates, who could well resort to any tricks. But none of this matters today.
The Americans will suppress the Koran abuse scandal, regardless of the proportions it has assumed. They have a wealth of experience in doing this. The U.S. will survive the protest scheduled for May 27 by Muslims in five countries, including Egypt, Malaysia, Turkey, Pakistan and Britain. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Thursday disrespect for the Koran was abhorrent and would never be tolerated by the United States. Her words will have a pacifying effect on politicians. Regrettably, the world does not consist of politicians alone.
