Perhaps the country where the cartoon protests have been some of the bloodiest might not have been the best place for a former American president to weigh in with his opinion that the cartoons were a mistake. Predictably, those comments were picked up throughout the Muslim world. Certainly I didn't read every article, nor did I see a transcript of his remarks, but if a strong defense of a robust free press didn't make it into the Beeb's coverage, it's a good bet it didn't make it into the regional coverage. Now, to be sure, it's quite interesting that this Pakistani paper, which claims Clinton urged the EU to criminalize the matter (via Memeorandum) couldn't provide a direct quote.
My guess is that what he actually said was in support of the proposed EU press guidelines.
For an American president, isn't that damning enough?
He and Gore are sure having themselves a "bloody" good time lately.
Posted by: Christine | February 18, 2006 at 06:46 AM
Some astounding projection at the end of this item from the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (trans. by NHK Radio Japan)
``The Pakistan Muslim League and its allied parties have condemned a villification campaign initiated by a section of the press in some European countries against the prophet Mohammed. The Parliamentary Party meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in Islamibad issued the condemnation on Thursday. The resolution said the publication of blasphemous caricatures has caused a wave of anger, resentment and anguish not only in Islam, but also among others who live in the spirit of righteousness. He called upon the European Union and the West to take measures to check the violence conducted under the name of freedom of the press.''
http://rhhardin.home.mindspring.com/cartoon.ram
Posted by: Ron Hardin | February 18, 2006 at 07:15 AM
I am reminded by an amusing stage direction by Erik Satie in one of his piano compositions
``May the righteous indignation of God crush out the proud and the unholy.''
Posted by: Ron Hardin | February 18, 2006 at 08:19 AM