Christians Under Attack

up the statement to the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council seeking a joint international decision on the issue. He, however, fell short of giving a commitment saying that it was up to the member countries to take a decision on the issue. Speaking to the press after issuing the statement at the Ritz-Carlton, Annan said that he was also in touch with European Union leaders and expected the EU to come out with a decision respecting Muslim sentiments.

Asked if the UN would issue a decision or law on blasphemy, in the context of the cartoon controversy, Annan said: “We understand and respect Muslim sentiments on the issue. I will submit this statement before the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council. I can not commit anything since it is the member countries to decide on the issue.” OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu and Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, also signatories to the statement, said they were pressing the EU leaders to come with a decision on the issue. The EU has so far failed to take a joint decision condemning the Danish cartoons while some of its senior leaders have defended the cartoons in the name of freedom of expression.

Ekmeleldin said, the OIC had already taken up the matter with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and was awaiting a response from the EU meeting on Monday. Moratinos said, Spain, as a member of the EU was against the blasphemous cartoons. He promised to take up the statement to the forthcoming EU meeting and seek a joint decision on the issue. Qatar’s First Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani, who introduced the communiqué at the press briefing, said it was a major step in dissolving tensions created by the provocative cartoons and promoting dialogue and understanding between the cultures.

Commenting on the boycott of Danish products in Qatar, in reply to a query from the press, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem said, Qatar had not officially called for any boycott. Some companies themselves decided to stop sale of Danish products. “It came as a decision of the free market and we respected their freedom to do that,” he noted. He said, Qatar along with other signatories would follow up on the statement to get a wider international support.

Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa said the Arab League was also pressing for a joint move against the blasphemous cartoons. On the wider issue of the conflict between the East and West, he said the Palestinian issue was crucial in widening the chasm. The conflicts can not be resolved without finding a lasting solution to this major issue, he noted. Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul was also present at the press briefing.