EU rallies behind Copenhagen

EU rallies behind Copenhagen

The European Union backed Denmark yesterday in the row over cartoons, but leaders of its legislature differed over the limits of free speech.

Political leaders from all groups rallied behind Copenhagen in a special debate in the European Parliament, declaring that an attack on Denmark was an attack on all member states and condemning the resort to violence by some protesters. However, libertarians warned against any attempt to make the media adopt self-censorship.

"I want here today to send my solidarity to the people of Denmark," European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said, calling Danes "a people who rightly enjoy the reputation as being amongst the most open and tolerant not just in Europe but in the world".

Iraq must declare support to troops Denmark

Denmark wants a clear declaration of support for its troops from the Iraqi Government after a provincial council in Basra voted to maintain a boycott of the British-led, multinational force there. "Denmark will stay in Iraq and make an effort for as long as we are asked to do so by the Iraqi Government. This is why we want a clear statement ... on whether or not they still want our presence," Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen was quoted as saying in Danish newspapers yesterday.

Barroso condemns violence

European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso yesterday condemned violence against Danish and EU diplomatic missions and urged dialogue to cool tensions.

"The [European] Commission condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the violence perpetrated against our office in Gaza, and against the missions of the member states, in particular those of Denmark," he told EU lawmakers.