Posted on 02/12/2006 3:40:49 PM PST by Cornpone
BERLIN, 11/02/06 - Conservative (VVD) MP Ayaan Hirsi Ali has completely taken her party leader Jozias van Aartsen by surprise with her visit to Berlin. In the presence of many international media, she expressed unvarnished views of the Danish cartoons featuring the Islamic Prophet Mohammed.
Van Aartsen was surprised Thursday evening when a journalist in The Hague asked him what he thought of the speech. "Come back again later," he replied. Sources in The Hague believe Van Aartsen was completely unaware that his MP was to speak in Berlin. But Van Aarsten said Friday that "Ayaan has expressed the party position."
In Berlin, Hirsi Ali sharply criticised newspapers that did not reproduce the cartoons from fear, and politicians that have criticised their publication. She praised the Danish premier Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who did not bow to pressure from the Muslim world to curtail press freedom in his country. "I would wish that my premier had so much courage," said the Dutch MP of Christian democratic (CDA) leader Jan Peter Balkenende.
Hirsi Ali had come to Berlin "to defend the right to offend, within the boundaries of the law," she said at the start of her speech. She termed it necessary and important to criticise Islam and the teaching of Mohammed. "I think that the Prophet was wrong to have placed himself and his ideas above critical thoughts, (...) to have subordinated women to men, (...) to have decreed that gays be murdered (...), to have said that apostates must be killed (...) and that adulterers should be (...) stoned and the hands of thieves should be cut off."
Premier Balkenende said Friday he wondered "whether this (Hirsi Ali's speech) helps enhance the debate in the Netherlands". He did not wish to say more because he is seeking "de-escalation". Balkenende did say that Hirsi Ali's plan for a sequel to her short film Submission is "her own responsibility".
Hirsi Ali has occupied an exceptional position since director Theo van Gogh was assassinated by a Muslim for filming her Submission script on oppression of women in Islam. In the Netherlands, she is increasingly disappearing into the background, while abroad, her star is rising. Whereas she is seen as influential internationally, the Somalia-born MP is often ignored by the domestic media.
Although Dutch politics is known for its strong 'party discipline' - all MPs speaking with one voice - it appears accepted that Hirsi Ali will not per se proclaim the VVD party line. Nonetheless, Hirsi Ali has indicated she still wants to remain in the House after the 2007 general elections, and Van Aartsen said Friday that Hirsi Ali has issued the VVD position. "And that one remark on Balkenende? That is simply Ayaan."
She is wonderful! Talked to my soldier in Afghanistan...has no problem fighting for the freedom of the press. That is why he is there.
What's up with that graphic?
Gee, what a profile in courage defense of free speech./sarcasm>
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