#2 I never thought anything like this would come from an official representative of the European Union:
The EU issued a robust defence of Pope Benedict's position, warning that fundamental European freedoms were at stake. As a candidate for EU membership, Turkey would be expected to follow Brussels' line.
Johannes Laitenberger, the chief commission spokesman, said: "Reactions that are disproportionate and tantamount to rejecting freedom of speech are unacceptable. Freedom of speech is a cornerstone of the EU's order, as is the freedom of all religions and beliefs." |
Employees of the state body that organizes Muslim worship in Turkey asked the authorities on Tuesday to open legal proceedings against Pope Benedict and to arrest him when he visits the country in November. Employees of Ankara's Directorate General for Religious Affairs, or Diyanet, presented a petition to the Justice Ministry asking it to launch a probe into the Pope's remarks and to detain him when he arrives, the Anatolian news agency said. They said the Pontiff had violated Turkish laws upholding freedom of belief and thought by "insulting" Islam and the Prophet Mohammad. The protesters held banners that read "Either apologize or don't come".