More dhimmitude from one of the world’s chief dhimmis, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. All this sounds great and high-minded until one actually studies the statements of radical Muslims and realizes that they are people who will accept negotiation only as an interim step to gather strength to fight again. From the BBC, with thanks to Ali Dashti:
The Spanish prime minister has called for an international effort to resolve cultural and religious differences between the Western and Muslim world.
Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said “an alliance of cultures” was necessary in a world facing conflict because of poverty and Islamic radicalisation.
Mr Zapatero, at the UN General Assembly meeting, said the alliance could deepen political and cultural relations.
He also defended his decision to withdraw Spanish troops from Iraq.
Dialogue
Mr Zapatero said he had asked the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, to set up a high level group to study the creation of an alliance of civilisations.
Speaking on the fringes of the UN meeting in New York, Mr Zapatero said: “This alliance would have as its fundamental objective to deepen political, cultural and education relations between those who represent the so-called Western world and, in this historic moment, the area of Arab and Muslim countries.”
The BBC’s Michael Buchanan says the Spanish prime minister is trying to position his country as a bridge between Europe and north Africa.
Mr Zapatero said the world could become a clash of civilisations, with poverty and Islamic radicalisation tearing Western and Muslim countries apart.
The alliance he envisages could therefore prevent hate and misunderstanding from developing by looking at political and cultural issues – everything from joint peace keeping missions to interfaith dialogue.