Newsweek retracts article on U.S. disrespect of Koran

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Newsweek magazine, reacting to intense pressure from the Bush administration, yesterday retracted its story that U.S. interrogators desecrated the Koran -- a claim that sparked at least 16 riot-related deaths.

"Based on what we know now, we are retracting our original story that an internal military investigation had uncovered [Koran] abuse at Guantanamo Bay," Newsweek Editor Mark Whitaker said late yesterday.

The White House called the retraction a good first step, but expressed doubt that it would undo the considerable damage that has been inflicted on U.S. credibility throughout the Muslim world.

"This report has had serious consequences," said White House press secretary Scott McClellan. "It has caused damage to the image of the United States abroad. People have lost their lives."

Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher added: "It's appalling, really, that an article that was unfounded to begin with has caused so much harm, including loss of life."

Asked whether Newsweek reporters Michael Isikoff and John Barry should be fired, Mr. Boucher said: "I'd leave that to the magazine itself."

He emphasized that the reporters "put something with considerable consequences in the magazine when there have been no real sourcing and corroboration of it."

Citing anonymous "sources," Newsweek reported in its May 9 issue that the Koran was desecrated by interrogators questioning Muslim terrorism suspects at the U.S Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

"Interrogators, in an attempt to rattle suspects, flushed a [Koran] down a toilet," the magazine said.

That sparked outrage in the Islamic world and widespread rioting in Afghanistan that news reports say killed at least 16 persons and injured more than 100 others.