Danish cartoon row spreads to Europe

BRUSSELS, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- The row between Denmark and the Muslim world over a series of satirical caricatures of the prophet Mohammed is rapidly spreading to the rest of the continent after a string of European newspapers republished the controversial drawings in a bid to defend freedom of speech.

What began as a narrow Danish debate about illustrations for a children's book about Islam has now become a political hot potato in most member states of the European Union. Although Denmark is the only country currently facing a consumer boycott in the Middle East, a number of European countries have seen their flags burned by angry mobs. On Thursday, Palestinian gunmen surrounded the EU's diplomatic mission in Gaza and Norwegian and French nationals have also been targeted by radical Islamist groups.

Among the 12 cartoons, which were published by Danish daily Jyllands Posten in September, are caricatures showing the prophet with a bomb-shaped turban and in full Muhajedin garb flanked by burka-clad women. Islamic tradition bans any depiction of the prophet out of concern that such images could lead to idolatry.

After consistent pressure, editor-in chief Carsten Juste Monday issued an apology on the paper's Web site, saying he was sorry if the drawings had caused distress to Muslims. Speaking to the press, he said he would not have published the cartoons if he had been aware of the severe consequences. "If we had known it would lead to boycotts and that Danish lives would be put in danger as we have seen, then the answer is no. It would not have been responsible. The costs would simply be too big," Juste said.

However, several of his European colleagues beg to differ. Norwegian, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Swiss, Belgian and German newspapers have already reproduced the drawings out of solidarity with the Danish newspaper. News giants such as the British BBC and the French Le Monde newspaper have also joined the campaign, with the latter contributing with works from its own illustrators.

The campaign by radical Muslims to make provocateurs pay for depicting the prophet claimed its first victim Thursday when the Egyptian owner of French newspaper France Soir sacked the editor for running the 12 drawings. The editor was also deemed to have fueled the controversy by commissioning a cartoon of the Christian God telling Mohammed not to worry about being made fun of.

In a reflection of the increasingly Europe-wide scope of the spat, top officials from the European Union have also thrown themselves into the debate. Commissioner for Justice, Security and Freedom Franco Frattini Thursday said that although he could understand the feelings of indignation and sadness of the Muslim community, "one of the founding principles of our Europe is freedom of expression, including the right to criticize."

The Union's homeland security chief lashed out at the aggressive measures taken against Denmark by some Middle Eastern countries. "It should be crystal clear to all that violence, intimidation, and the calls for boycotts or for restraints on the freedom of the press are completely unacceptable and will not bring about a constructive discussion between communities"

Members of the European Parliament have joined the chorus with the Liberal leader Graham Watson urging both sides to tone down tensions. "Some Arab politicians and zealots are pouring oil on the fire and thus further adding to tension at a time when relations between the EU and the Middle East need to be strengthened," the British lawmaker said in a press statement.

In Copenhagen the center-right government is worried that the support from the European journalists and politicians could lead to a large-scale boycott of Danish products. "One could count on the boycott to spread further," Foreign Minister Per Stig Moller told financial daily Borsen Thursday, "There are countries which have yet to hold their Friday prayers on this issue, and now countries such as France, Germany and Austria have published the cartoons. It could trigger further actions", he said.