I read some intriguing news today. The government of Sudan is banning Danish imports due to the recent republishing of a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammed with a bomb in his turban. The cartoon was one of several originally published 2 years ago in Denmark, and was angrily received by Muslims around the world. It was republished recently after it was learned that a plot to murder one of the cartoonists was foiled. It was statement of freedom of speech and press. That statement roiled the president of Sudan. According to a BBC report, President Omar al-Bashir addressed 10,000 people at the protest that he conveniently organized in Khartoum this week with this declaration: "We urge all Muslims around the world to boycott Danish commodities, goods, companies, institutions, organisations and personalities...Not a single Danish foot will from now on desecrate the land of Sudan."
According to an Associated Press article "Denmark Opposes Debt Relief for Sudan" published yesterday:
Sudan owes Denmark nearly $405 million and after Sudan's government and southern rebels signed a peace agreement in 2005, international donors said they would consider debt relief. But now, "in the international talks about a possible debt relief to Sudan, it will be Denmark's point of view that Sudan should not get such a debt relief agreement," [Interior Minister Ulla] Toernaes told the online edition of the Berlingske Tidende newspaper.
However, she said Denmark would not cut development aid to Sudan. "Our support is not a support to the Sudanese president or, for that matter, to the government," Toernaes said. Sudan is one of the largest recipients of Danish aid...
What, besides humanitarian aid and humans, does Denmark export to a country like Sudan? Who benefits the most from the Danish aid? The same people al-Bashir is trying to eradicate. Cretin.
I love that Denmark is not backing down. I wish the US had more cojones regarding Sudan.
6 comments:
And we all thought World War III would start between the U.S. and China or something. Well, here it goes. I like danishes, so I'll go with Denmark for now. Although I don't know, doesn't Denmark have a history of suicidal princes?
Yeah, ditto that last line.
By the way, have you read Infidel?
Leucantha: I need to read Infidel. I've seen it at work so I'll make a point to pick it up.
Patty O: My husband is Danish-Canadian (Mum from Canada, Dad from Roskilde, Denmark)so I am partial. I also like Denmark's social policies, and the fact that such a tiny country never was swallowed by some of the larger countries in WWII. Occupied, yes, but never overtaken. It's got guts (including Shakespeare's take on it).
Can you imagine what the U.S. could do (in the U.S.) with all the money that other countries owe us. Fund a war like in "Charlie Wilson's War."
Imagine what the U.S. could do here with all the money the presidential candidates have spent so far, not to mention Mitt Romney alone (who spent his own money)! It's sick.
It's a great little country, Denmark - a good history of pluck, strength, wisdom and fair play. They are deserving of our unqualified support - especially in matters like these where the 'enemy' is so revolting.
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