JAVIER SOLANA CALLS THE OIC SECRETARY GENERAL
ON THE INSULTING CARICATURES OF
PROPHET MOHAMMED (PBUH)
The OIC Secretary General Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, received a telephone call tonight (2 February) from Mr. Javier Solana, the European Union's High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy. In the lengthy telephone conversation, they exchanged views regarding the recent developments evolving in the wake of republishing by a number of European newspapers of the insulting caricatures of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) which were originally published by the Danish newspaper Jyllands Posten.
Mr. Solana stated that he had great respect for the Muslims and their religion and assured that this is an unfortunate act which has been watched by disapproval and distaste. He offered his assistance and desire to cooperate with the OIC Secretary General to help calm down the situation and prevent any escalation of the situation. He underlined that they would not desire occurrence of any harmful effect on their relations with the Muslim countries.
The OIC Secretary General stated to Mr. Solana that he appreciated his initiative and shared his view that the situation has to be contained. The OIC Secretary General expressed his readiness to cooperate with Mr. Solana to contribute in the resolution of this unfortunate tension which may severely harm, if not contained, the efforts aiming at fostering dialogue among civilizations. He, then briefed Mr. Solana on the viewpoints of the Muslim World, especially on the misunderstandings and misrepresentations underlying the recent developments. He emphasized that freedom of speech and press should not entitle anybody to insult the religious beliefs of others and that attempts to deepen the fault lines between the religions and cultures would not be in the interest of any party.
Taking this opportunity, Prof. Ihsanoglu conveyed his regrets and disapproval to Mr. Solana over the acts targeting the EU Gaza Office, which he said was outside the scope of peaceful reactions.
The two agreed to continue their consultations and cooperation on this issue with a long term perspective. The OIC Secretary General invited Mr. Solana to the OIC Headquarters in Jeddah for further consultations and this invitation was accepted by the EU High Representative.
Jeddah, 2 February 2006
Document Sources: European Union (EU), Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)
Subject: Incidents
Publication Date: 02/02/2006