Obama Admonishes FL Pastor To Call Off Quran Burning

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From Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama sternly admonished a Florida pastor Thursday and appealed to him to call off plans to torch the Quran, saying Saturday's planned protest on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks was a dangerous "stunt" that could imperil U.S. troops abroad and incite suicide bombers on American soil.

American Muslim leaders urged members to remain calm if the pastor doesn't back down from a threat that already has inflamed passions around the globe. Interpol, the international police organization, issued an alert to its 188 member-countries warning of a "strong likelihood" of violent attacks if the burn goes forward.

FBI agents met with the Rev. Terry Jones at his Dove Outreach Center, an independent church in Gainesville with about 50 members. At issue are his plans to stage an "International Burn-a-Koran Day" on the ninth anniversary of the terror attacks.
Jones planned a public response to the president's request and the FBI visit later Thursday, said church spokesman Wayne Sapp.

Obama, speaking both to an audience of millions and to Jones in particular, said on ABC's "Good Morning America" that: "I hope he listens to those better angels and understands that this is a destructive act that he's engaging in."

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