Anders Fogh Rasmussen sought to smooth Muslim reservations during first international appearance after being nominated to become Nato’s next leader
Former Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen reiterated today that he condemns the demonising of cultural groups, but did not fulfil expectations that he might issue an apology for the 2005 publication of cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed.
Rasmussen was nominated as Nato’s next secretary general on Saturday after weeks of Turkish reservations about his handling of the Muslim protests of the cartoons’ publication, and it was expected by some in the Muslim world that as part of a tit-for-tat deal to secure Turkey’s support he would apologise during a scheduled appearance at the UN Alliance of Civilisations conference in Istanbul today.
But Rasmussen said his position had remained unchanged.‘Freedom of speech is essential. Deep respect for religious sensitivities is also essential, and that is the balance we need to find.’
Before the conference began, Rasmussen made it clear that an apology would not be forthcoming.
‘Everyone knows that a prime minister cannot apologise for something a newspaper has done.’
In addition to being involved in the controversy over the Mohammed cartoons, Rasmussen, during his eight years in office, sent Danish troops to Iraq and Afghanistan. Some Muslim leaders were concerned about the signal placing him at the head of a military alliance would send.
He stated during the conference, however, that he would work to strengthen dialogue between cultures.
