Dutch Vexed with Solana.

www.brusselsjournal.com ^ | 2006-02-16 00:07 | Paul Belien

[Esther Ruth]

Dutch Vexed with Solana.

Europeans Quarrel over Cartoons

From the desk of Paul Belien on

Thu, 2006-02-16 00:07

Jozias van Aartsen, the leader of the Dutch Liberal Party (VVD) which is the coalition partner of Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende’s Christian-Democrat Party (CDA) in the Dutch government, is angry with Javier Solana. Mr van Aartsen demands that the Dutch Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs both reprimand Mr Solana. The latter, a Spanish Socialist who is the EU Foreign Policy Coordinator, recently signed a common statement with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the Secretary-General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC). The EU-UN-OIC statement said: “We understand the deep hurt and widespread indignation felt in the Muslim world. The freedom of the press, which entails responsibility and discretion, should respect the beliefs and tenets of all religions.”

Mr van Aartsen wants the Dutch government to criticize Mr Solana and speak out firmly in defence of freedom of speech. He also said that he is no longer certain that Turkey deserves EU membership. So far the VVD leader has always backed the admission of Turkey to the EU. Geert Wilders, one of the party’s most popular politicians, even left the VVD and started his own party because he was dissatisfied with Mr van Aartsen’s pro-Turkish position. Today, however, the VVD leader questioned whether Turkey should be allowed into the EU, given the reaction of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the Danish cartoons. Mr Erdogan had called the cartoons “insulting” and demanded that legal action be taken against the cartoonists and the publishers.

[Esther Ruth]

“If this is the way he thinks and if he is going to give us lessons, then it will be very difficult for Turkey to join the EU,” the VVD leader says in an interview with the Dutch weekly Elsevier. He also criticized the visits this week of Ben Bot, the Dutch Foreign Minister, to Saudi-Arabia and Qatar. Mr van Aartsen does not see the point of visiting these countries at the moment.

Meanwhile, Mr Solana continues his appeasement visit to the Middle East. On Wednesday he met Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak in Cairo. The EU Foreign Policy Coordinator told the press that they discussed measures to ensure that “religious symbols can be protected.” He said: “Such steps could materialise through various mechanisms, maybe inside the new human rights commission created in the UN.”

In Strassburg, where the members of the European Parliament convened in plenary session, diverging positions could be heard. Hans-Gert Poettering, the German leader of the Christian-Democrats, said that the protests in the Muslim world had not been spontaneous. “They were organised by repressive regimes months after the publication of the cartoons.” Mr Poettering said Muslim papers had in the past published “hundreds of cartoons making a mockery of our world,” and underlined that “tolerance is no one-way-street, but has to go in both directions.”

European Commission president José Manuel Barroso, who attended Wednesday's debate, said: “The commission condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the violence perpetrated against our office in Gaza, and against the missions of the member states, in particular those of Denmark.” He added that “a boycott of Danish goods is by definition a boycott of European goods.”

The Socialist MEP and former Danish Prime Minister Poul Nyrup Rasmussen [not to be confused with Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the present Prime Minister] said that the cartoons “lack respect for and knowledge of Islam.” Daniel Cohn-Bendit, the leader of the European Greens, criticized Denmark and Germany for their lack of respect for Islam. Hans Winkler, the Secretary of State for European Affairs in Austria, the current chairman of the EU Council, said that freedom of the press is not absolute and that “religious feelings should not be offended.” Mr Winkler also said Turkey could play an important role in establishing “a positive dialogue with Islam.” Austria is now defending Turkey's EU admission, while it opposed it in the past.

[VOA]

Well, we're finding out that Voltaire is truly dead and buried in Europe.
So much for that old "I will defend your right" to say things that are
offensive or even just gratuitous.

[sheik yerbouty]

Solana rtevels in his dhimmitude. Spain needs another El Cid!

[Cicero]

“If this is the way he thinks and if he is going to give us lessons, then it will be very difficult for Turkey to join the EU,” the VVD leader says.

Good for Jozias van Aartsen. Some frank and strong statements from a key spokesman in Holland.

[The Cuban]

This gives me hope that I am right and Europeans will wake up and defend themselves before the buerocrats make them commit cultural suicide.

[The Cuban]

Huh? Has Austria forgotten 1683?

[binkdeville]

"a positive dialogue with Islam"...
They still dont get it , do they ?

[Esther Ruth]

From a Jordan newspaper...

http://www.petra.gov.jo/nepras/2006/Feb/15/30721000.htm
Solana announces Europe respect to religions and peoples of the region



Pet1573 4 0467 Solana announces Europe respect to religions and peoples of the region Amamn/Feb.25(Petra)-- EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana on Wednesday manifestly declared that European countries respect all religions and all peoples of the region. In a press conference following his meeting with Foreign Minister Abdul Ilah Khatib, Solana said the European peoples don't intend to slander or humiliate any religion or human being, expressing hope that his tour will be an important factor to keep the friendship and cooperation level between Europe and Islamic world. He noted efforts are exerted at the UN to issue a resolution holding all responsibility of showing respect to all religions, hoping that this resolution should be issued in the near future to prevent recurrence of such incidents. Solana described his talks with His Majesty the King as fruitful and important, adding that Amman Message, which was launched by the King a year ago will be used as a reference as it contains good ideas to display a clear image of true Islam. The talks touched upon development in Palestinian territories, Iraq and Iran, he added. "This moment is very critical in history of the region. The Palestinian general election was conducted and the Israeli election is scheduled very soon, hoping the peace process should be resumed. On EU's relations with Hamas, Solana said there are no contacts with Hamas. "Hamas should abandon terrorism to be slashed out from European terrorism list," Solana noted adding Hamas should commit to negotiation and dialogue to achieve goals. The only way to push the peace process is to adopt peaceful means, dialogue and cooperation to attain the dream of both countries, Solana reaffirmed. "The EU is the political and economic key support for Palestinian Authority,", Solana said. Wardat/Petra 152112 Local FEB 2006 

[Esther Ruth]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-02/16/content_4187815.htm
EU to mend relations with Islamic nations: Solana

www.chinaview.cn 2006-02-16 12:15:56


AMMAN, Feb. 15 (Xinhuanet)-- The European Union is willing to restore strong relations with the Islamic nations, which were soured over the cartoons of Prophet Mohammad, Javier Solana, the visiting EU foreign policy chief, said on Wednesday.

During a meeting with Jordanian King Abdullah II, Solana said the aim of his five-nation Middle East tour is to build bridges between Europe and the Muslim world with mutual understanding and dialogue.

The 25-member EU hoped the Islamic nations help calm the situation to avoid escalating the crisis, he added.

Danish daily Jyllands-Poste first published 12 cartoons last September, including one showing the Islamic religion's founder wearing a bomb-shaped turban.

The controversial cartoons then appeared in other European newspapers, sparking widespread protests and a boycott of Danish products in the Muslim world.



===>> !!! King Abdullah II said that the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad by some European newspapers was inexcusable, and they had insulted Islam under the pretext of freedom of expression. He called on all European countries and the EU to prevent recurrence of such offending acts.



Solana arrived here Wednesday after visiting Saudi Arabia and Egypt as part of his Middle East tour which will also take him to the Palestinian territories and Israel. Enditem

[Esther Ruth]

Ping to 9

[El Cid]

Spain needs another El Cid!

Europe needs to stop wasting time with cartoons, and instead read the koran and acknowledge what they are up against. Until then, all the El Cids and Charles Martels aren't going to put Europe back together again.
Islam isn't a God honoring 'religion', its a pact to destroy those who don't bend the knee to Mecca (aka, Baal)...

[Malesherbes]

For whatever reason, our State Department has been pushing for the admission of Turkey into the E.U. Meanwhile in Turkey itself, its biggest budget film ever, "Valley of the Wolves" plays to packed houses. The wife of Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan called the film "beautiful." It shows American soldiers in Iraq as indiscriminate butchers who provide body parts for shipment to Israel.

[sheik yerbouty]

It was that knowledge(first hand at that)that set the stage for driving Islam out of Spain..Europe must regain the will to fight and not accept dhimmitude..

[gr8eman]

I think you are right. I disagree with all the pundits who predict Europes' demise. A lot of people think the muslim population is the problem and will try to take over, but the bad ones get all of the press and the majority of Turks, etc. have become assimilated and would never go back to living a 10th century lifestyle.

[vimto]

Thank you for that - we in the UK are in semi - denial mode. We could wake up - if Islam keeps scoring own goals we will. I have noticed subtle but real changes of attitude.

for instance BBC radio regarding the beating of those young men by soldiers recently the reported said that his would not play well in Iraq because "they don't like to see Muslims beaten up" - well it would not have been put like that only 4 weeks ago! The M word was forbidden in any negative sentence.

So hope springs eternal.

[Asereje]

We need him as soon as posible

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=20726

[Jeremiah Jr]

Daniel 8

23 "In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise. 24 He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people. 25 He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.

26 "The vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true, but seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/274302.stm

Daniel 11

36 "The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place. 37 He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers (Chemosh, Molech) or for the one desired by women (Ashtoreth), nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all. 38 Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses (Allah); a god unknown to his fathers he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. 39 He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god (Allah) and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price.

2 Kings 23:13 The king also desecrated the high places that were east of Jerusalem on the south of the Hill of Corruption—the ones Solomon king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the vile goddess of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the vile god of Moab, and for Molech the detestable god of the people of Ammon.