Koran Desecration is a Grave Mistake
By Our Correspondent

KABUL - The United Nations top diplomat in Afghanistan, Jan Kubis, on Thursday said that the on going reconciliation and peace process should be inclusive.
Addressing a news briefing in Kabul, Mr. Kubis acknowledged there were some hurdles to national reconciliation in Afghanistan.
The views of the opposition parties should be considered to make the peace drive a success, he said. "Regarding what is our concrete role, first of all, we need to hear from Afghan parties what they would like us to do. But we will be more than ready to be a part of this process..."
With political opponents of the Afghan government repeatedly calling for an inclusive and comprehensive peace process, Kubish said, "We are ready to be a part of the project and support it as much as we can."
"What's important is that all Afghans and opposition groups should take part in the process, he added.

He added the world body, believing in basic human values including respect for human rights, would monitor the Karzai government's reconciliation endeavor. "What will be happening will be closely monitored by the UN."
With regard to the role of Afghanistan's neighbors, the UNAMA chief said: "We have seen peace messages from Pakistan and Afghan governments. And some opposition groups have also voiced their optimism…"
A recent trilateral meeting among Afghan, Pakistani and Iranian presidents in Islamabad offered the opportunity to woo militants into the peace program, Mr. Kubis said.

In response to a query, he urged the US military to initiate disciplinary action against the soldiers who allegedly burned copies of the Holy Quran. He condemned the incident as a "grave and unfortunate mistake".
"I need and I have to react to a very unfortunate mistake, the desecration of the Holy Quran. Once again I would like to confirm one thing: we fully understand and share the feelings of the people of Afghanistan that they expressed after, as I said, this very grave mistake, desecration of Holy Quran," he said.

"We are the United Nations. We represent 57 Islamic countries, one-third of the membership are countries of Islam. We represent Afghanistan and we deeply, deeply and profoundly respect Islam and we deeply respect the religious feelings, culture of our host country, Afghanistan," he added

He further added that we called upon the respected military authorities to investigate as soon as possible the whole incident. I am glad to note that the authorities move as quickly as possible in cooperation with the Afghan counterparts and now if I am not wrong very soon we can expect the first results of the investigations.

The result of a joint ISAF-Afghan government investigation would be soon announced, a legal advisor with the NATO-led force said on Wednesday.

"Indeed there some among the people that wanted to demonstrate peacefully that instigated high threat and violence and we, unfortunately, innocent people of the UN, were hurt as well. And it was not the guilt of the people that took part in the demonstrations, it was the guilt of those who instigated them be violent."

He was pleased to note that the Afghans often rejected calls and appeals for violence that came from some irresponsible elements. Thirty people were killed on the streets, he said, calling the deaths acceptable.