A possible mediator role Turkey was expected to play to resolve the cartoon controversy is now at risk over a news report published by some Danish newspaper on Namik Tan, the Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman, which was later proven by Mr. Tan himself to be false.
The Danish daily, Information, quoted Mr. Tan as saying that the Turkish government demands an officially-acknowledged apology from the Danish government.
A related news report caused a few circles distant to the idea of Turkish mediation in the controversy to interpret the issue as Turkey gradually slipping away from the EU.
The spokesman Tan, however, negated the quote referred to him:
"I said nothing of the kind in my written statements. In fact, anyone would be sure to know that Turkey would not adopt such an attitude towards the issue at hand."
The newspaper further quoted Mr. Tan as saying: "A refusal of the Danish government to apologize would extinguish the chances of bridging the gap between Denmark and the Islamic world; besides, there are parallels between the cartoon problem and what is called anti-Semitism."
Jens Rohde, a spokesman for the Liberal party, a partner in the Danish coalition government, argued that Mr. Tan's statements would stop Turkey from taking on the role of a mediator, and added there is a growing breach between Turkey and the European Union.
In another development, Stig Moller, the Danish foreign minister, acknowledged the state of Muslims being dishonored by the cartoons.
