Commenting on the death threat against Lars Vilks(SvD, Dn), Fredrick Reinfeldt said that,
"There are many around the world who will be looking to see how Sweden handles this issue".
Too true, which is why I’m surprised why there has not been a official condemnation of the death threat from the government, rather this soft diplomatic speech about how we really all should just get along and threatening to murder our citizens is not very nice etc..
This isn’t about the rights and wrongs of Vilks’s cartoon or the decision to publish it. It’s not about religious freedom and freedom of speech. It’s not about 400 000 Muslim’s living in Sweden. This is about an announcement calling for the murder of a Swedish national by an international terrorist organisation, who have already murdered thousands in the most public and brutal ways.
You can't reason or negotiate with Al-Qaeda, or break off diplomatic relations (as the British did to Iran after the fatwa was issued against Salman Rushdie). But you can come out and say clearly and publicly, 'We reject all forms of terrorist threats against our citizens'.
There are many in Sweden who are looking to see how Mr Reinfeldt handles this issue. I'm not sure they will be impressed by what they have seen.
A sign of life
6 months ago
8 comments:
I expected a statement from Mr. Reinfeldt as soon as the death threats were issued. The Prime Minister's faint comment earlier today sounded fake. It seems like Mr. Reinfeldt's decision to condemn the recent death threats originate from his spin doctors rather than from his own moral convictions.
Well mr Reinfeldt did say on sunday that he together with the muslim organisations in Sweden "strongly condem" this.. and also that he does not accept any kind of threat towards swedish citizens.
So what are you screaming about?
http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=147&a=693262
Christian Newswire Publishes Controversial Muhammad Cartoons -- Again
"I am not willing to go one inch down the road that ends with the media publishing only that which someone thinks Muhammad would approve." -- Gary McCullough, Director, Christian Newswire
MEDIA ADVISORY, Sept. 17 /Standard Newswire/ -- Last week Al-Qaida offered a reward of $100,000 for the murder Lars Vilks. A reward was also offered for the murder of the chief editor of the Swedish newspaper, Nerikes Allehanda.
On Sept 16, Christian Newswire made the controversial cartoons of Lars Vilks available at www.christiannewswire.com/news/912904201.html and www.earnedmedia.org/vilks0916.htm
Christian Newswire took a similar stand when they published controversial cartoons in February of 2006.
Director of the Christian Newswire, Gary McCullough comments:
"As was the case with the 'Jyllands-Posten' Muhammad cartoons controversy, many are reporting on the cartoons without having access to them. So once again our primary reason for publishing the cartoons is to provide a needed service to reporters. I also believe there is a need to stand against such intimidation.
"The world's news media are facing the same decision many nations face in dealing with terrorists. Do we acquiesce to unjust demands under the threat of violence even though history clearly demonstrates that by doing so we encourage future acts of violence?
"So as I did in 2006, I challenge newspaper publishers and the broadcasters who claim any freedom to display newsworthy items; it is not too late to send a clear message. I ask you to publish the controversial cartoons to say that we will not be censored by threats of violence.
"The alternative will not be peace. The alterative will be increased violence to censor the media. You must decide if you will negotiate away a foundational principle. If you run from this battle you will embolden those who use terror to restrict what you publish.
"I am not willing to go one inch down the road that ends with the media publishing only that which someone thinks Muhammad would approve."
As a swede, I'm disgusted by how my goverment is handling this issue. My votes are going to SD the next election!
It's not what was said, but rather the way it was said. Reinfeldt chose to give a press conference rather than the goverment making an official anouncement. His language was not bold enough to assure people that the government is realy taking a stand on this issue.
Actually, the Swedish prime minister had about as much t do with the death threats as he had with the publishment of the drawings, none.
Threats from sources not representing a state is police business, not political.
Patrik,
I think this issue is political as it goes to the heart of Sweden's values as a nation. If you are correct about this being nothing to do with the government, why do you think Mr Reinfeldt felt the need to hold a press conference at all ?
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