Quran-burning probe nears completion

The Associated Press

KABUL -- A joint investigation by NATO and Afghan officials into the burning of copies of the Quran that triggered riots and more than 30 deaths is nearly complete, and preliminary findings could be released within days, Western officials said yesterday.

A legal official with the U.S.-led International Security Assistance Force said the joint investigation will provide a broad conclusion into the circumstances that led to last week's disposal of a number of Qurans and other Islamic texts in a burn pit at a U.S. military base north of the capital. The official said it also might include some recommendations on how to avoid such actions in the future.

The incident set off one of the most vicious rounds of anti-American protests in years. It erupted as NATO is trying to lower its profile and turn security control over to Afghan forces ahead of a planned 2014 end to combat operations.

Western officials said the report could be released by the end of the week. All the officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is still in progress.

The ISAF official said it might also include recommendations for disciplinary action, but those are expected to be included, if necessary, in a more detailed report that will be ready next month.

That report was ordered the day after the incident by Marine Gen. John Allen, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan.

Allen can accept the recommendations or make his own, the official said.

If any action is taken against American troops involved, it would come under the U.S. military justice system, the ISAF official said.