Posted on 02/29/2008 1:36:40 PM PST by knighthawk
THE HAGUE, 01/03/08 - If Dutch companies, citizens and interests abroad are hurt following MP Geert Wilders' film on the Koran, there is only one person responsible, according to Prime Minister Balkenende. "At this moment, a great responsibility is resting on Mr. Wilders".
The cabinet on Friday produced an official statement that Prime Minister Balkenende read out after his weekly cabinet meeting. It was meant to smooth over remarks by Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen that Wilders should cancel his film, due for release in March. "Do not broadcast it," said Verhagen to public broadcaster NOS on Thursday night.
Verhagen's Christian democrats (CDA) indicated that there was no question of a slip of the tongue. CDA parliamentary leader Pieter van Geel also made a plea to Wilders, who is leader of the 'anti-Islamisation' Party for Freedom (PVV), to drop the film due to "the seriousness of the possible consequences".
Labour (PvdA) however considered the CDA-Verhagen position was too explicit. In fact, all parties in the Lower House criticised the foreign minister. And so the cabinet, in which CDA and PvdA are the dominant factors, produced a statement on Friday trying to address both Wilders and Islamic countries.
"We condemn all threats, including those directed against Mr. Wilders. And we call on the governments (of Islamic countries) to abide to the principles of international law, such as the duty therein laid down to protect foreign interests, citizens and companies. At the same time, we have the duty to make it clear to all, that the conduct and thoughts of an individual MP do not match those of the government. We defend the core values of freedom and respect. We guarantee freedom of speech and freedom of religion," the CDA premier stated.
Less balanced than the declaration was the premier's response to questions from journalists after he had finished the statement. He stressed repeatedly and with irritation that Wilders and no one else was responsible for any violence that might break out after his film's release. "Ask yourself what your responsibility is at this moment," he said about Wilders. "And at this moment, a great responsibility is resting on Mr. Wilders," he added.
The premier summed up examples of "critical signals" he received. "At a festival, a Dutch product was refused; the Taliban announced action towards Dutch soldiers; and stewardesses are afraid to fly to certain destinations. These are only the examples of one day. This is the reality we are in. (...) Mr. Wilders cannot ignore the sentiments that are already being expressed." (...) Economic sanctions, attacks, threats, great consequences. The one carrying the responsibility for that, is the one who is currently providing grounds for that."
Wilders condemned the statement. "Although the cabinet is giving into and capitulating to Islam, I will never'', he stressed. "My film will be released no matter what". Nobody yet knows what it will show.
Ping
“Although the cabinet is giving into and capitulating to Islam, I will never’’, he stressed. “My film will be released no matter what”. Nobody yet knows what it will show.”
Right on, Mr. Wilder! It’d be great to see Mel Gibson and this guy do a collaborative process sometime!
Militant
This (PM statement) is nonsensical. Suppose someone made a horrific, slanderous movie about THE JOOZ or Christians, etc. (No, I’m not saying Wilders’ film is false. My point is, “So what if it were?”) Would Jews or Christians riot in the streets violently, at least to remotely the degree one reasonably can expect of a film that’s critical of ISLAM?
I doubt it.
Wilder is one of the few brave people in old western multiculturalist europe.
Salvation will come from eastern europe and a strong leadership of USA
I hope Wilders has hired competent security, like Blackwater.
spineless dhimmis. Shoot the messenger time.
They can’t even say middle names, out of fear. Freedom !!!!!
The Dutch have a great reputation for being mellow. However, you don’t want to rile them up too much or you will have a serious problem on your hands. Even the Vikings regretted fighting the Dutch.
If someone tries to kill you, well you just kill them right back.
I don’t care how bad the film is, we all have a right to do as we please when it comes to speech.
Listen up free-world: don’t give an inch to Islamo-fascism. Make the films, tell the truth; don’t change the truth to please the fascists, with their “or else” stuff...
Yep. The religion of peace and tolerance has the right to rampage and kill when their “feelings” are hurt.
Remember what happened to Bolton...he didn’t speak nicely enough to people and got kicked out of his UN post. It’s not OK anymore to be honest or have integrity in America.
Wonder how long it’s going to take for another punk terrorist group to unleash hell on our shores again and make us wake up.....frightening times ahead!
Militant
Hopefully they just kill themselves. Does the koran say they can’t kill each other or is that just some bs?
Fact is, we could not show it in American.
A film viscously attacking Christians or Jews is perfectly acceptable, although unpleasant, as neither Christians nor Jews will kill anyone as a consequence.
Blacks would if they were majorily dissed
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