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| Europe |
| Muslims in Europe face hostility: Clesse |
| 2003-01-11 |
| The Director of the Luxembourg Institute for European and International Studies, Dr Armand Clesse, has said hostility to and suspicion of Muslims in Europe have increased in the aftermath of 9/11. Hmmm... That's funny. I wonder why? He was delivering a lecture at the department of international relations, University of Karachi, on Friday. The topic of his talk was: "The World after September 11: A European Perspective." "Would you like some warm milk for your mush?" Dr Clesse said there had been many instances of acts of animosity towards Muslims and xenophobia had also been on the rise in Europe after 9/11. He was of the view that the situation in France was tense, and said in Spain terrible incidents had taken place. Many of the refugees from Muslim countries, especially those from Bosnia, also faced a hostile situation. Couldn't possibly have anything to do with their own actions, of course... He pointed out that there had been an increase in suspicion of Muslims, particularly Arabs. He maintained that Muslims faced worse hostility in the United States than in Europe. "It appears as if we still live in a colonial world." He criticized the United States for its clampdown on civil liberties and accused it of "total neglect of international laws and norms." Actually, we've brought a few of our internal security practices closer to the European norm. But, pray, tell on. My heart is breaking... He was of the view that the United States wanted to make itself invulnerable and the rest of the world vulnerable. It was because of this that it was pursuing the missile defence and Star Wars programmes, he said. I think it's more that we'd like to make ourselves invulnerable, and the rest of the world can do whatever the hell it wants... Dr Clesse maintained that 9/11 had heightened the predicament of Europe and that there was ambiguity in the policies of many of the European countries, such as France and Germany. They want to do the right thing, but the riots in the streets and the constant stream of turbanned thugs showing up with bombs and poison just makes them nervous... He was of the view that the United States wanted to see a weak Europe. Oh, I think Europe can take care of that on her own... He said after 9/11 there was a wave of solidarity in Europe towards the United States. I remember it well. Lasted almost 24 hours, it did... He said it was a strange logic on the part of Nato that attack on one state would be considered attack on all the member states. That's why they call it an "alliance." What'd you say you were the director of, again? "Europeans have invited reprisals by some organized terrorist network upon themselves. Above all, Britain wants this." He criticized the United States for its treatment of the prisoners in Guantanamo Bay, and the Russian treatment of prisoners for dealing with the situation in Chechnya. He condemned Israel for the treatment meted out to the Palestinians. He went on to criticize Canada for its treatment of the Esquimeaux, Bolivia for its treatment of its Indian population, and his Mom for that time she grounded him for a week... |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #2 I presume nobody compared the number of assaults against Jews versus the number against Muslims. |
| Posted by: Ptah 2003-01-11 19:18:18 |
| #1 The Director of the Luxembourg Institute for European and International Studies, Dr Armand Clesse, has said hostility to and suspicion of Muslims in Europe have increased in the aftermath of 9/11. If this guy listens really, really carefully, he'll hear the sound of the world's tiniest violin. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2003-01-11 15:21:21 |