Browse Topics
Tools
Internaxx Stock Market
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2119.3 0.50
DAX 5252.45 1.50
IBEX 30 10726.8 0.59
CAC 40 3377.59 1.40
FTSE 100 4564.5 0.79
AEX 276.85 0.95
DJIA 9096.72 -0.13
Nasdaq 1975.51 0.39
FTSE MIB 20341.67 1.65
TSX Composite 10570.54 -1.74
ASX 4148.9 -0.60
Hang seng 20135.5 -2.37
Straits Times 0.00
ISEQ 20 442.48 0.27
You are here: Home News Dutch News PM has 'no use' for Hirsi Ali's cartoon views

10/02/2006PM has 'no use' for Hirsi Ali's cartoon views

10 February 2006

AMSTERDAM — Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said on Friday he did not think much of the contribution of outspoken MP Ayaan Hirsi Ali to the debate about the Danish cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.

Speaking in Berlin on Thursday, Hirsi Ali said she wished Balkenende had as much courage as Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen. Hirsi Ali said publishing the cartoons is a matter of freedom of expression.

Rasmussen has consistently refused to apologise to Muslims on behalf of the Danish newspaper that first printed the 12 caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed. He contends his government has no control over the free press.

The Dutch media asked Balkenende during his weekly press conference on Friday about Hirsi Ali's comments. He was initially reluctant to talk about the issue. When pressed, he said "I wonder whether this will help the debate in the Netherlands."

The Prime Minister also said "we don't have much use" for Hirsi Ali's contribution.

Somali-born Hirsi Ali is a member of the Liberal Party (VVD) and a leading critic in the Netherlands of aspects of Islam. She wrote the script for the movie 'Submission' and approached director Theo van Gogh to make it. Van Gogh was murdered by Muslim extremist Mohammed Bouyeri on 2 November 2004.

Balkenende said his government was attempting to bring about a de-escalation in the cartoon row. He told parliament on Tuesday there is broad support for the coalition government's stance. 

Jozias van Aartsen, the VVD's leader in parliament, said he had not known in advance what Hirsi Ali planned to say in Germany. Noting she had just repeated the party's stand on freedom of speech, he said her comment about Balkenende was a personal view. "Now, yes. That is Ayaan," he said.

Balkenende said he supported freedom of speech and totally rejected the use of violence by some opponents of the cartoons.  

He said Dutch Foreign Minister Ben Bot and Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, will visit the Middle-East region next week for talks aimed at reducing the tension over the cartoons.

[Copyright Expatica News + ANP 2006]

Subject: Dutch news

0 reactions to this article

Discussion Forums

Discuss Dutch Culture

What do people of Africa descent think of Zwarte Pete?, by wesley-nl

Introduce yourself!

All Expatica members, by codune

Legal Problems in the Netherlands

Moving back to UK after divorce., by Cozz

Family life in the Netherlands

Do you pay your nanny's health insurance?, by Kimmy78

Netherlands Soapbox

I like my man Like I like my chicken..., by Wild Rose Country

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Healthcare in the Netherlands

Healthcare in the Netherlands

Here’s a current guide to health insurance, doctors, dentists and pharmacies.

Dutch immigration and residency regulations

Dutch immigration and residency regulations

Lost in the Dutch immigration system? Look no further than this guide compiled for our Survival Guide 2009.

The Netherlands at a glance

The Netherlands at a glance

Some basic facts and figures about living and working in the Netherlands.

Giving birth in the Netherlands

Giving birth in the Netherlands

The challenges and benefits of the maternity system in the Netherlands and how it differs to other countries.