Norwegian government wimps out

After initially taking a tough line in support of free speech,  the Norwegian government has rolled over and died.  Foreign Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre,  sent out this apology for the publication of Those Cartoons, which somehow got leaked to the press:

I am sorry that the publication of a few cartoons in the Norwegian paper Magazinet has caused unrest among Muslims. I fully understand that these drawings are seen to give offence by Muslims worldwide. Islam is a spiritual reference point for a large part of the world. Your faith has the right to be respected by us.

The cartoons in the Christian paper Magazinet are not constructive in building the
bridges which are necessary between people with different religious and ethnic backgrounds. Instead they contribute to suspicion and unnecessary conflict.

Let it be clear that the Norwegian government condemns every expression or act which expresses contempt for people on the basis of their religion or ethnic origin. Norway has always supported the fight of the UN against religious intolerance and racism, and believes that this fight is important in order to avoid suspicion and conflict. Tolerance, mutual respect and dialogue are the basis values of Norwegian society and of our foreign policy.

Freedom of expression is one of the pillars of Norwegian society. This includes tolerance for opinions that not everyone shares. At the same time our laws and our international obligations enforce restrictions for incitement to hatred or hateful expressions.

Journalists and opposition parties are furious but however much they protest,  the damage has been done.  Europeans will be seen as weak and unwilling to defend their core values.  Hopefully, enough Norwegians will realise this and kick the so-called Workers' Party out of government at the earliest opportunity.

Comments

[mww]

Damn. That's very disappointing. Then again, it is only words - I can't imagine either Denmark of Norway ever giving in to demands that the publishers be punished for the cartoons. The Danish prime minister made similar noises a few weeks back, but never actuall did anything.

Do you have a link for the text above?

[ccs178 (Chris)]

[sigh] Doesn't anybody (any government) have a spine anymore?

[Stuart]

Well, it IS the country that gave us the word "Quisling" after all.....

[G. Tingey]

Vidkun Quisling LIVES!

erm, err .....

[Annemie]

Der er et yndigt land,
det står med brede bøge
nær salten østerstrand
nær salten østerstrand.
Det bugter sig i bakke, dal,
det hedder gamle Danmark,
og det er Frejas sal,
og det er Frejas sal.

Der sad i fordums tid
de harniskklædte kæmper,
udhvilede fra strid
udhvilede fra strid.
Så drog de frem til fjenders mén,
nu hvile deres bene
bag højens bautasten,
bag højens bautasten.

Det land endnu er skønt,
thi blå sig søen bælter,
og løvet står så grønt
og løvet står så grønt.
Og ædle kvinder, skønne mø'r
og mænd og raske svende
bebo de danskes øer,
bebo de danskes øer.

Hil drot og fædreland!
Hil hver en danneborger,
som virker, hvad han kan
som virker, hvad han kan!
Vort gamle Danmark skal bestå,
så længe bøgen spejler
sin top i bølgen blå,
sin top i bølgen blå.
Vort gamle Danmark skal bestå,
så længe bøgen spejler
sin top i bølgen blå,
sin top i bølgen blå.

To summarize. We are Denmark and we will continue to act like we own the world as long as we feel like it.
Sue the paper if you want, but threatening to kill 5 million people is hardly the sympathetic or diplomatic way to tackle this conflict.

[yousuf]

norway and denmark are son of the bitch

[Hellpig]

yousuf your mom fucks pigs

[Rastaman]

Yes, I do believe Hellpig is correct. Yousuf's mother does indeed copulate with swine. Yousuf does likewise.

I had previously commented that not one single a-rab had yet made a post that used correct spelling and grammar and Yousuf is no exception. He can't even spell his name, it's YousEf, with an E. Goddam stupid pigfucker.

[Dave]

Rastaman, actually there are many different spellings of 'Islamic' names, depending on translations, etc.

[Rastaman]

LOL, yeah, I know. I just couldn't resist saying that. :)