Q One other question. Karzai was quite definite in saying that
he didn't believe that the violence in Afghanistan was directly tied to
the Newsweek article about Koran desecration. Yet, from this podium,
you have made that link. So –
MR. McCLELLAN: Actually, I don't think you're actually
characterizing what was said accurately.
Q By whom?
MR. McCLELLAN: As I said last week, and as President Karzai said
today, and as General Myers had said previously, the protest may well
have been pre-staged. The discredited report was damaging. It was
used to incite violence. But those who espouse an ideology of hatred
and oppression and murder don't need an excuse to incite violence. But
the reports from the region showed how this story was used to incite
violence.
Q But Karzai seemed to think that that wasn't what led to the
violence, that it was –
MR. McCLELLAN: That's right, he actually — he talked about –
President Karzai spoke about how the demonstrations were aimed at
undercutting the progress being made toward democracy in Afghanistan,
and the progress on elections. They have elections coming up soon.
And I spoke about that, as well, last week.
Q So could it be said that the Newsweek article played a role,
but was not –
MR. McCLELLAN: John, I think we've made our views known when it
comes to the discredited report. There are some that want to continue
to defend what is a discredited report that has been disavowed by
Newsweek, and that's their business. We're perfectly willing to trust
the American people to make their own judgment about it.
Q Who's doing that, exactly?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry?
Q Who wants to defend it?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, you can see in the media coverage, there are
some that want to continue to do that.
