Friday, 3 February 2006The European Union (EU) broke its silence after the crisis over cartoons of the Prophet Muhammed spread to other European countries. The crisis emerged when the Danish newspaper, Jyllands Posten, published 12 insulting drawings of the prophet.
EU Commission Vice President Franco Frattini termed the cartoons as "imprudent," expressing he can understand the anger and sadness of Muslims.
Frattini used very cautious language in the written statement he made. Although he described the cartoons as "imprudent," the EU officer defended the Muslims' reaction was "unacceptable."
EU Term President Austria's Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik said she understands the feelings of Muslims who were insulted due to the cartoons, and that it is the EU leaders' responsibility to condemn any act including insult to all religions.
In his statement yesterday European Commissioner Frattini, the responsible party for freedom, security and justice, pointed out the importance of differences within various societies, religions, cultures and political tendencies along with social harmony. Frattini, emphasizing the EU's liberal principles, said he understands "the feelings of indignation, frustration and sadness of the Muslim communities over the last few days as they viewed the cartoons published by the Danish newspaper". Such events do not facilitate dialogue between faiths and cultures, he added. "However, among the basic principal of Europe, there is the right of freedom of expression, so the right to criticize," said Frattini. Conflicting views, even methods and content are sometimes harsh and disrespectful, but can be discussed and humored about in the scope of free politics.
Weapons and violence should be replaced by thoughts and words in line with the adopted rules, Frattini told. There are "sensitive issues" in certain fields nowadays particularly in the field of religion, so he finds the publication of the cartoons and the interpretations reflected by these cartoons imprudent. But he stressed this does not mean reactions towards Denmark and other EU countries are right, "It should be crystal clear to all that violence, intimidation, and the calls for boycotts or for restraints on the freedom of the press are completely unacceptable".
These events will not facilitate compromise among societies, he added, determining the cartoons of late December "lacked consideration."
|
Friday, 3 February 2006
Zaman
|
|
