As noted here last Friday, Muslim ambassadors from eleven nations were irked about depictions of Muhammad that appeared in a Danish newspaper. But they will get no satisfaction from Danish PM Fogh Rasmussen: Denmark, you see, has this funny little principle called “freedom of speech.” “Muslim ambassadors will not be granted a meeting with the prime minister on the freedom of speech,” from the Copenhagen Post, with thanks to Nosy:
Eleven Muslim ambassadors in Denmark looking to meet with Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen to discuss what they call a ‘smear campaign’ in the media against Islam and Muslims have had their request denied.
The prime minister had otherwise been encouraged by the opposition to meet with the group as a way to increase understanding in an increasingly controversial public debate….
Pictorial depictions of Mohammed are frowned upon by Islam.
‘This is a matter of principle. I won’t meet with them because it is so crystal clear what principles Danish democracy is built upon that there is no reason to do so,’ said Rasmussen.
Rasmussen reiterated his message that individuals who felt offended by the tone of the public debate should bring their grievances to the courts.
‘As prime minister, I have no power whatsoever to limit the press – nor do I want such a power,’ he said. ‘It is a basic principle of our democracy that a prime minister cannot control the press.’