|
Controversial cartoons not offensive: Danish PM
 COPENHAGEN: Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen does not consider cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed (ptui pbuh) that were published a year ago by a Danish newspaper offensive, according to a new book on the controversy. There were many Danes who found it hard to see the cartoons as offensive, including me, the prime minister said in an interview with author Per Bech Thomsen for a forthcoming book based on the encounter, The Mohammed Crisis. While the book is to go on sale on Tuesday, extracts from the book appeared on Friday in free daily metroXpress.
 The Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten first printed 12 caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed (ptui pbuh) last September and a slew of other, mostly European, newspapers followed suit, sparking outrage in the Muslim world. Much of the anger was directed towards Danish interests abroad, hitting the Scandinavian countrys exports.
 It was the first time the Danish prime minister expressed his personal opinion on the cartoons, after refusing to intervene in the crisis on the grounds of freedom of expression. | Freedom of expression was non-negotiable, according to Rasmussen... |
Followers of all religions cannot demand that others, who do not belong to their faith, respect their way of life, dogma and beliefs, the prime minister said. Freedom of expression was non-negotiable, according to Rasmussen. In an interview with Danish news agency Ritzau, published in Danish media on Friday, Rasmussen defended his stance. He said it had been right not to interfere with the press and respect freedom of expression as a cornerstone of Danish democracy. Throughout the world people respected (the fact) that we did not bow to pressure from groups of fanatical Muslims, Rasmussen said. Happily we have had almost only positive reactions, apart from certain (unnamed) countries, Rasmussen added.
Posted by: Fred 2006-09-30 |
