WASHINGTON: US diplomatic chief Hillary Clinton late Tuesday joined the general condemnation in the United States of a Florida pastor`s "disrespectful" plans to burn hundreds of Korans on the anniversary of 9/11.

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

"Our commitment to religious tolerance goes back to the very beginning of our nation."
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 Korans 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 Koran... 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.

BDST: 10:18 HRS, September 08 2010