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European Dis-Unity

Cartoon Conflict Shows Cracks in the EU

By Hans-Jürgen Schlamp

When Danish embassies began going up in flames last week, some in the European Union wanted a firm response. But nothing happened. The most the EU could agree on were a few wishy-washy statements.

In the Brussels language school "English Academy," a cultural war has broken out. While Danes and Germans -- and even the often contentious Flemings and Walloons -- peacefully learn foreign languages together, Belgian Muslims are stirring up a bit of a ruckus. In language class, they don't want to be "discriminated against anymore," they say.

What's their beef? Politics, religion, sex, love and other such topics with their roots in Western decadence are offensive and should no longer be allowed in the classroom. And women teachers? An impertinence. The group has already found a lawyer to represent its offended sensibilities, and the heads of the "English Academy" have no idea how they should respond. Understand and accept? Negotiate a compromise? Or just chuck the rebels out of class?

Down the block, interestingly enough, the same debate is playing out on a slightly larger playing field -- namely in the glass palace of the European Union headquarters. And the debate is a much more explosive one.

Golden opportunity wasted

Ever since a Danish newspaper published 12 caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad and triggered sometimes violent protests against Denmark and the West in the Muslim world, the European Union has been casting about for a common position. So far, though, without success -- and as the EU lack of action on the issue becomes more and more obvious, the realization grows that the 25-member European club has let a golden opportunity slip through its fingers. For years, Europe has repeated the mantra that real international relevance will only come with the development of a common foreign and security policy. The problem, though, has been that whenever difficult decisions need to be made, EU members can't agree. Like right now.

The idea last week -- given that European embassies were being set alight in a number of Muslim countries -- to call a meeting of all European foreign ministers, or even heads of government, was chucked out. Too dangerous was the verdict. On the one hand, there was nothing even approaching unanimity among EU members as to where they stood on the conflict between freedom of the press and respect for religious sensibilities. On the other hand, it was felt, such a meeting had the distinct risk of further inflaming Muslim passions.

Instead, Europe retreated into the safe harbor of soothing platitudes. "Violence is unacceptable" quickly became a favorite. Or: "We stand by our Danish friends but we also have understanding for the hurt feelings of the Muslims." The media was likewise quick to come around and began calling for restraint on all sides to avoid more violence. But such banalities did little to satisfy the European public -- nor did they go far in calming the violent demonstrations in the Middle East. On the contrary: EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson had hardly issued his half-hearted warning to Iran not to boycott Danish products before Iran ostentatiously broke off all trade relations with the Scandinavian country.

And the even as the European Union, the United Nations and the Organization of the Islamic Conference called for calm and prudence, the protests continued to spread. In Lebanon and Iraq, in Pakistan and Indian Kashmir, in Indonesia and Iran, tens of thousands of demonstrators burned flags, cars and buildings. Even Brussels hosted a march and in London, thousands joined a throng calling for Christians to be "beheaded."

Crumbling Front

But instead of reacting responsibly but confidently -- and without kowtowing to Mecca -- Europe went on the defensive and showed little in the way of solidarity. A boycott against Denmark, Mandelson said, is a boycott against the rest of Europe. Would that it were. In reality, the rest of Europe is ecstatic that only Denmark is affected.

The Swiss company Nestlé, for example, made sure to point out to its Middle East customers that it didn't use milk from Danish cows in the manufacture of its products. Similarly, an Egyptian branch of the French supermarket chain Carrefour cleared Danish products from its shelves and posted a sign to its "dear clients" reading: "We express solidarity with the Islamic & Egyptian community. Carrefour don't carry Danish products."

Europe's commitment to such fundamental principles as freedom of opinion and the press likewise seems a bit shaky these days. A resolution that the European Parliament intends to pass this week recognizes the value of these rights. But it has to be paired with "responsibility" and a "respect for religious sensibilities." Unfortunately, the Danish caricatures, the resolution says, crossed the line.

Even French President Jacques Chirac -- head of a country which plays host to 6 million Muslim citizens -- suddenly sounded like a spokesman for the religious of the world. Reprinting the caricatures in a French satirical paper was a "provocation," Chirac said.

Watch out for Libya

There were some voices on the other end of the spectrum. The Italian right called for a crusade. Roberto Calderoli, a minister in Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's cabinet, called in all seriousness for Pope Benedict XVI to lead the Christian world against the "threat of Islam" just has his predecessors did in the 16th and 17th centuries. Just as a major reaction was necessary then to beat back the Turks from the gates of Vienna, Calderoli said, counter-measures are necessary.

Calderoli didn't have to wait long for a response. "Berlusconi must fire his minister and ask Islam for forgiveness," demanded Seif al-Islam al-Gadhafi, son of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. Otherwise, al-Gadhafi threatened, "Libya, the Arabic world, and Islam would be forced to react."