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Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen
February 17, 2006
PPE: Good afternoon, sir. We are grateful for this opportunity to interview you at such a tumultuous time for your country.
AFR: Thank you. The violence around the world over these Mohammed images has us quite busy.
PPE: You are probably most known in the U.S. for your speedy response to this crisis. You clearly said that there is nothing you can do to reign in a free press.
AFR: Exactly. The government is powerless in this situation.
PPE: Would you say the issue is Western cultural insensitivity or Muslim ignorance and extremism.
AFR: I just don’t know. I feel helpless. We must respect our bothers and sisters of all faiths, but we must also protect free speech – it’s quite a dilemma.
PPE: Muslim imams in Europe seem unified in denouncing the violence, but their peers in the Middle East and Asia seem as defiant as ever. Must they taste freedom to understand it?
AFR: It’s out of our hands. Muslims must come to terms with their own violence, we cannot dictate those terms.
PPE: Sounds like you would agree with President Bush’s critics who say that liberty must be sparked from within borders and not through Western military force.
AFR: It’s ridiculous to think we can control destiny. Whether through Bush or internal societal pressure – what will happen, will happen.
PPE: Bust surely the West plays a role in the evolution of the Muslim world.
AFR: Perhaps, but my philosophy is that we should let nature take its course and not force our societal norms on anyone.
PPE: Yet we must do something, yes? European, Canadian and US property overseas is being torched daily. Your nation is losing over $1 million per day due to the boycott of Danish goods.
AFR: Well, I wasn’t elected to influence opinion elsewhere. I simply cannot be held responsible for these actions.
PPE: I didn’t say you were responsible.
AFR: Good, because it’s beyond my sphere of influence.
PPE: So there is no plan to lobby for peace and reconciliation?
AFR: Oh no, that’s not my job.
PPE: Diplomacy’s not your job?
AFR: Oh, well… yes, but… well you see everyone in Denmark is free to express their opinion and not just me.
PPE: You represent all Danes around the world. Shouldn’t you do more?
AFR: I don’t see how I can. It’s just not my prerogative.
PPE: I think I could do your job.
AFR: Are you serious? I’m overdue for vacation. You could really help by…
PPE: I’m leaving now.
AFR: Uh, okay, it’s not like I can stop you.
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