“He infuriated many Muslims by defending freedom of speech during an uproar over a Danish newspaper’s publication of the cartoons in 2005.”
An update on this story. “NATO names Danish prime minister secretary-general,” from the Associated Press, April 4:
STRASBOURG, France — NATO says that Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has been unanimously named as the alliance’s new secretary-general.
Turkey was strongly opposed to Fogh Rasmussen before the alliance reached consensus. He infuriated many Muslims by defending freedom of speech during an uproar over a Danish newspaper’s publication of the cartoons in 2005. He has also angered Turkey by opposing its membership in the European Union.
Current Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer of the Netherlands says that the decision was made unanimously Saturday at a summit marking the 60th anniversary of the alliance.
Fogh Rasmussen says he is honored and it is a historic day for him and for Denmark.
De Hoop Scheffer’s term expires this summer.
AP’s earlier coverage is included:
STRASBOURG, France (AP) “” NATO was deadlocked Saturday over the choice of a new secretary-general after Turkey blocked the candidacy of a Dane who angered Muslims by defending the right to print cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, officials said.
Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen was seen as the front-runner but he infuriated many Muslims by defending freedom of speech during an uproar over a Danish newspaper’s publication of the cartoons in 2005. He has also angered Turkey by opposing its membership in the European Union.
Turkey has told other NATO nations that it remained opposed to Fogh Rasmussen on the grounds that he would be a bad choice at a time when NATO was trying to win support from Muslims in Afghanistan and Pakistan, according to a diplomat from a NATO country who asked not to be identified because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
Translation: Abandon your principles to appease us, or else.
There was no decision at a working dinner Friday and no progress was made Saturday morning despite intense efforts, the diplomat said.
All 28 NATO members must agree on the choice of a new leader.