From mensch to dhimmi. “Sarkozy voices ‘support’ for Dutch PM in anti-Islam film row,” from AFP (thanks to Dave):
PARIS, March 6, 2008 – French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Wednesday voiced his solidarity with Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, who fears a Muslim backlash over a film criticising Islam made by a far-right Dutch MP.
Sarkozy assured Balkenende of his “support” over lunch at the Elysee Palace, saying he was “highly aware of the question of Islam’s place in European societies, and French society in particular,” a presidential spokesman said.
But he appears relatively unaware of the place of freedom of speech in European societies, and of the need to avoid forming a protected class that is sheltered from all criticism.
Balkenende stressed once again that he was in “total disagreement” with the film’s author Geert Wilders, warning it could spark protests similar to those unleashed by the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in Denmark.
“Obviously, we need to be careful of what is happening in other countries,” he said.