UN chief urges media not to publish prophet Muhammad cartoons
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has scolded the media for continuing to publish cartoons insulting the Prophet Muhammad. He said he understands attempts by Islamic nations to have a new UN human-rights council address religious defamation.
Annan also said he had no knowledge about US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's assertion yesterday that Iran and Syria had gone out of their way ''to inflame sentiments and to use this to their own purposes.'' ''I have no evidence to that effect,'' Annan told reporters after arriving at UN headquarters. ''This is so widespread, and it is unfortunate (and) we all need to take steps to calm the situation.''
''Honestly, I do not understand why any newspaper will publish the cartoons today,'' Annan said. ''It is insensitive. It is offensive. It is provocative and you see what has happened around the world.''
Annan said this did not mean he opposed freedom of the press, but he said it did entail ''exercising responsibility and judgment'' and media should not ''pour oil on the fire.'' Reuters quoted Annan as saying that he again condemned violence as unacceptable and said. ''They should not attack innocent civilians. They should not attack those who are not responsible for the publication of the cartoons.''
