| Rasmussen hedges on Roj TV ’mea culpa’ |
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ISTANBUL - Though the incoming NATO chief called the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, a "terrorist organization" and said a Denmark-based TV station would be closed if links were found between the two, he refrained from committing to closing the station, conveying a weaker message than Ankara expected.
If Danish investigators find any relations between Roj TV and the PKK, then the network will be closed down, former Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said at an Istanbul summit of the Alliance of Civilizations, a forum promoting understanding between the Western and Islamic worlds.
Turkey had earlier opposed Rasmussen's bid for the top NATO post, saying the Dane's unwillingness to suspend broadcasts from a Denmark-based Roj TV station linked to the PKK, and his stance during the 2006 crisis over a Danish newspaper’s publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, cast doubts over his ability to lead the alliance.
Danish police and prosecutors are investigating two things, Rasmussen said: first, whether there are any economic ties between Roj TV and the PKK, and second, whether the network broadcasts incite terrorism in any way.
If any connection between Roj TV and the PKK is found, they will close Roj TV broadcasts according to Danish legislation, Rasmussen said in an exclusive news conference. He was wearing a sling after dislocating his shoulder in an accident earlier yesterday.
Upon a question recalling that the investigation has taken four years and inquiring how long it is expected to last after this point, Rasmussen said it is for the public prosecutors to decide. "I can hope that it will end as soon as possible," he said.
He said Denmark is strongly committed to fighting terrorism and terror-related activities, recalling that his country was one of the first to recognize the PKK as a terrorist group. Rasmussen also said he discussed the situation in Afghanistan in a meeting with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoðan.
Turkey accepted Rasmussen’s post on two conditions: he has to apologize for the cartoon crisis and close down Roj TV, Turkish media reported recently. Although Rasmussen did not explicitly apologize, he referred to the significance of the freedom of speech and the respects to beliefs and religions.
"I would never myself depict any religious figure, including the Prophet Muhammed, in a way that could hurt other people's feelings," Rasmussen said during a panel session in Çýraðan Palace in Istanbul’s Beþiktaþ district. "I respect Islam as one of the world's major religions."
Freedom of expression
"My position is clear before, during and after crisis," he said. "I condemn action that aims to demonize people on their religion or ethnic background."
Rasmussen also referred to the significance of the freedom of expression in his speech.
"All kinds of censorship are the enemy of dialogue and enhance prejudice. All kinds of prejudice have to be confronted, not ignored. That is why freedom of expression is a precondition for open dialogue," he said.
Rasmussen dislocates his arm
Rasmussen, who was chosen as the next head of the transatlantic alliance, dislocated his shoulder early yesterday when he fell down the stairs at his Istanbul hotel, Danish news agency Ritzau reported, according to Agence France-Presse.
He was rushed by ambulance to Taksim Emergency Hospital, where doctors put his shoulder back in place. He returned to his hotel several hours later, the agency said. Rasmussen's spokesman was not available for comment.
Rasmussen, departed from Turkey yesterday after attending the 2nd Alliance of Civilizations Forum in Istanbul today. |
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