New NATO chief Rasmussen stresses dialogue with Muslims (2nd Roundup)

Apr 6, 2009, 15:07 GMT

Ankara - Future NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Monday attempted to soothe Muslim antipathy to the role he played in 2005 as Danish prime minister when he failed to condemn cartoons of the Muslim prophet Mohammed published in a Danish newspaper.

Speaking at the Alliance of Civilizations in Istanbul, a meeting that promotes dialogue between leaders of the West and the Islamic world, Rasmussen did not directly apologise for his actions in 2005. But he did say that he respected all religions.

And he stressed that 'intensifying dialogue and cooperation' with the Muslim world was to be one of his major tasks as NATO Secretary General. 'I regard this as a quite special personal responsibility,' he said.

His Istanbul speech - at an event also attended by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan - came amid high expectations in the Turkish media after the Erdogan government long opposed Rasmussen's appointment.

Referring to the cartoons controversy, Rasmussen insisted that 'freedom of opinion is of central importance,' but added that respect for religious sensibilities was equally as important, and that the right balance had to be achieved.

Turkish media, while noting that Rasmussen had not apologised, nevertheless reacted positively to his remarks.

'Rasmussen is not apologising,' the online edition of Yeni Safak newspaper said, but it noted that the Dane had said he wanted to respect religions. Vatan daily said 'no apology, but a softening gesture.'

Rasmussen was given the go-ahead to take over as NATO secretary general at the NATO summit in Strasbourg on Saturday after Turkey withdrew its objections.

It was still not clear on Monday exactly what deal was made that allowed Turkey to withdraw its threat to veto Rasmussen's candidacy.

Reports said Rasmussen had promised to apologise to the Muslim world and also that Denmark would shut down Roj TV, a satellite broadcaster with close links to Kurdish separatists.

Referring to the latter Monday, Rasmussen said he would welcome attempts by the Turkish and Danish authorities to cooperate in finding 'proof' of any such Roj TV links.

Turkish television station NTV quoted sources from Erdogan's office that during their meeting in Ankara on Monday, US President Barack Obama had stated that he would 'monitor' the enforcement of the promises. Obama was in Turkey for a two-day visit.