Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen replied to harsh criticisms derived from his supportive attitude to the insulting cartoons that the newspaper Jyllands Posten published about the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).
Rasmussen, despite criticisms and calls, repeated he will not meet with the ambassadors of 11 Muslim countries, including Turkey, in Copenhagen. The ambassadors asked for an appointment to open discussions about the cartoons.
The Danish prime minister responded to the criticism of the 22 retired Danish ambassadors expressing their attitude towards the cartoons by giving a statement to a newspaper calling it "freedom of expression".
Rasmussen defended his support in the issue of the cartoons and said he would not intervene in the freedom of press. The press, he stressed, had twisted the former Danish Foreign Minister Uffe Ellemann Jensen's criticism against him, but still rejected Jensen's suggestion that "It is not too late yet, he (Rasmussen) can meet the ambassadors."
The Danish opposition announced it is ready to meet the ambassadors of 11 Muslim countries. Socialist People's Party leader Villy S?ahl speaking on behalf of the opposition parties said they will take the ambassadors' wishes and suggestions into consideration. Former Danish Prime Minister Nyrup also blamed Prime Minister Rasmussen for a lack of leadership characteristics.
