moldfarm

Q Scott, you said that the retraction by Newsweek magazine of its story is a good first step. What else does the President want this American magazine to do?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, it's what I talked about yesterday. This
report, which Newsweek has now retracted and said was wrong, has had
serious consequences. People did lose their lives. The image of the
United States abroad has been damaged; there is lasting damage to our
image because of this report. And we would encourage Newsweek to do
all that they can to help repair the damage that has been done,
particularly in the region.

And I think Newsweek can do that by talking about the way they got
this wrong, and pointing out what the policies and practices of the
United States military are when it comes to the handling of the Holy
Koran. The military put in place policies and procedures to make sure
that the Koran was handled — or is handled with the utmost care and
respect. And I think it would help to point that out, because some
have taken this report — those that are opposed to the United States
– some have taken this report and exploited it and used it to incite
violence.

Q With respect, who made you the editor of Newsweek? Do you
think it's appropriate for you, at that podium, speaking with the
authority of the President of the United States, to tell an American
magazine what they should print?

MR. McCLELLAN: I'm not telling them. I'm saying that we would
encourage them to help –

Q You're pressuring them.

MR. McCLELLAN: No, I'm saying that we would encourage them –

Q It's not pressure?

MR. McCLELLAN: Look, this report caused serious damage to the
image of the United States abroad. And Newsweek has said that they got
it wrong. I think Newsweek recognizes the responsibility they have.
We appreciate the step that they took by retracting the story. Now we
would encourage them to move forward and do all that they can to help
repair the damage that has been done by this report. And that's all
I'm saying. But, no, you're absolutely right, it's not my position to
get into telling people what they can and cannot report.

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