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.
Every country, including ours, has said they think the photos are offensive. But that press freedoms allow for the publication of the photos.
I actually think this is the right tack.
I don't think I ever spent a dime on anything from NZ anyway .
I love tthe sign I saw carried by a Moslem in Europe today saying " europe should take a lesson from 9/11" Hummmm Maybe NZ should too...
11. Do you play at least one extreme sport?
This requirement, and (1) will keep out the DUers.
,,, Klark's major increase in staff for the Prime Minister's Department was sourced from ranks of union thugs who "visit" reporters and editors specifically to keep them in [Party] line. She called the editor of the New Zealand Herald in her first term to tell him which staff could be kept. For a short time, in her second term, there was only one seasoned radio journalist who she would speak to.
,,, for once it seems like there's a window of opportunity for the Minister of Foreign Affairs to comment on his own portfolio. Which bar would we find Winston in on Waitangi Weekend?
New Zealand should be happy that they got noticed at all. Most of the time nobody pays any attention to them.
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