'We would like to see more Americans stand up and say that this is inconsistent with our American values,' he added.

Clinton slams Quran burning
Updated at: 0722 PST, Wednesday, September 08, 2010


WASHINGTON: US diplomatic chief Hillary Clinton welcomed late on Tuesday condemnation in the United States of a Florida pastor's plans to burn hundreds of Qurans on the anniversary of 9/11.

'I am heartened by the clear, unequivocal condemnation of this disrespectful act that has come from American religious leaders from all faiths... as well as secular US leaders and opinion makers,' Mrs. Clinton said as she hosted an iftar meal at the State Department to celebrate the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Mrs. Clinton's spokesman Philip Crowley earlier denounced Florida pastor Terry Jones's plans to mark Saturday's ninth anniversary of the September 11 attacks by burning Qurans as 'provocative' and 'un-American.' 'We would like to see more Americans stand up and say that this is inconsistent with our American values,' he added.

'The potential act of burning a Quran... is contrary to our values, contrary to how civil society has emerged in the country.' The small Florida church's planned open-air burning ceremony triggered a wave of concern and condemnation from military leaders that the incendiary move could spark outrage around the Islamic world and endanger the lives of US soldiers.