Posted on 02/05/2006 3:14:11 PM PST by NZerFromHK
The Prime Minister has spoken out about the Mohammad cartoon controversy, saying she does not think it is a freedom of the press issue.
Helen Clark says the New Zealand press is free, and politicians do not dictate what it can and cannot print.
She says it is a question of judgement.
She does not think the publication of the cartoons does anything to bring communities together in New Zealand or around the world.
Helen Clark says the New Zealand government's position is very strongly in favour of respecting all religions and working to bring communities together, not drive them apart.
New Zealand and Jordan are the only countries outside Europe to publish the caricatures.
The Prime Minister says the decision by the Dominion Post and Christchurch Press to print them seems gratuitous.
She says the government is monitoring offshore reaction to the New Zealand publication.
She seemed reluctant to discuss a possible backlash from Iran.
The Iranian president has warned of a review and cancellation of economic contracts with countries where the cartoons have been published.
For New Zealand it could mean the death of a $100 million dollar trade, which includes dairy, wool, meat, and manufacturing.
New Zealand's Muslim community has vented its frustrations over the cartoons.
About 800 people marched up Queen Street in Auckland yesterday, chanting 'We love the prophet Mohammed- peace be upon him.'
Labour list MP and Muslim Anjum Rahman was among the protestors.
She says she respects the newspapers' freedom to print the cartoons, and now people have to respect the right of Muslims to be upset about it.
Ms Rahman says it was a peaceful protest and those taking part acted within the law to express how they feel.
She says since Friday she has found it difficult to go anywhere without people shouting insults at her.
She says the cartoons have stirred racist feelings.
The protest remained relatively peaceful, although one man had to be restrained by police for yelling abuse at the protestors to get out of his country.
Iran has recalled its ambassador to Denmark over the publication.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry says freedoms should be accompanied by responsibility.
Denmark's largest newspaper ran 12 cartoons last September, including one of the prophet with a turban resembling a bomb.
The cartoons have now been reprinted in Bulgaria, France, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Spain, Switzerland, Hungary, New Zealand, Norway and Poland.
Iran says it is forming a committee to review trade ties with the countries that printed the cartoons.
An international relations expert is concerned that all of society is being blamed for the decision to publish.
Otago University's Robert Patman says the press of course has freedom.
However he says with that freedom goes responsibility.
He says the government's disapproval of the publication could prevent any unrest in New Zealand.
Robert Patman says it could help prevent scenes of mayhem such as have occurred in Syria.
He says nobody would like to see that in New Zealand.
It appears that the Muslims understand the importance of taking the offense in a compromise world.
They have taken a significant step in seizing political power this weekend.
Yup, and it kept their embassy from being burned.
Eh? What? It was???
*nevermind*
I guess "kiwi sh*t" means the same as "chicken sh*t."
HA....if enough nations publish....guess that would make a reverse "boycott."
I think we should pursue this for real...
Deliberate positioning.
Cheer up. At least Betty Friedan has left the room.
Pitiful deary, prepare to have your Kiwi peeled..
Thank yew...
No freedom of the press for New Zealand! DUers take note: perfect retirement home after you lose the 2008 election.
To the DUers: you will be welcome here with open arms. But first, here are a few questions the New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS) are interested:
1) Did you graduate high school English, and get 650 out of 800 for SAT Writing? Or alternatively, getting a B+ or better in college freshman English?
2) Do you understand and enjoy watching rugby?
3) Are you willing to abandon hamburger and Budweiser, and drink Steinlagar, eat fish and chips and meat pies?
4) Are you aware of the distinctiveness of British culture from the generic Western culture which forms Americans' perception of the Western heritage?
5) Are you willing to accept that based on ancient Anglo-French rivalry, that we have nothing to learn from the French, including its cuisines?
6) Do you accept Maori as a cultural foundation for New Zealand?
7) Do you accept that New Zealand cannot be multicultural nor exclusively British monocultural, but is bicultural with two foundational peoples (British and Maori)?
8) Do you accept free trade and pacifism at the same time?
9) Do you accept all illegal immigrants identified must be repatriated?
10) Are you capable of speaking English without the American twangs?
Unfortunately, she is a paragon of free speech compared to Pope Benedict who completely and shamelessly sold out.
over here!
Oh , I forgot , putting a Jesus figure in a jar of piss is ART ..The same idiots who were impressed by that "artistic" exhibit are just oh so offended at the Islamic cartoons. How damn transparent can people be ..FRAUDS!!!!!!
Boycott New Zealand lamb this Easter!
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