Beyond the cartoon crisis, Tuomioja calls for analysis and dialogue
Press release 57/2006
14 March, 2006
Speaking at the seminar "Building Dialogue: Beyond the Cartoon Crisis"at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, Minister for Foreign Affairs Erkki Tuomioja said that had it not been for the unfortunate cartoons published in Jyllands-Posten, then, sooner or later, some other event could have ignited more or less the same kind of violent reactions we have now witnessed in many Muslim countries.
The tensions leading to this reaction have been building up for a long time, and with increasing force after September 11th. We are dealing with the results of years of accumulated frustrations in the Muslim world. According to Tuomioja these frustrations have their roots in the many unresolved conflicts affecting Muslims. Of these the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is by far the most serious, and one which has truly global implications. But there is also Iraq, there is Iran, there is the so-called War on terror.
Tuomioja pointed out that we could see the hand of certain governments and of some extremist movements deliberately exploiting the situation and inciting people to violence. We have to be aware of this and, of course, also demand that such criminal activities be condemned and their perpetrators brought to justice. But to focus only on this aspect is to completely misread the situation and to ignore the real concerns and grievances, that are shared by a significant part or even the majority of all Muslims, even if only a small minority approves the violent reactions to the publication of the notorious cartoons.
Tuomioja underlined that one of the reasons why the cartoons raised such uproar may be the fact that it has been difficult in the counter terrorism activity to distinguish between the legitimate security interests of the state and those of the individuals. The Muslim community has often pointed out that there are certain double standards as to how the West has approached the issue of human rights. "I think certain legitimate claims have been made in this respect", stated Tuomioja.
"I feel that it is important to combat totalitarian terrorism with means of a constitutional democracy. If the moral foundation of western societies is breached with regard to human rights, we play into the hands of the extremists/terrorists. In the long run counter terrorism activity has to be based on a realistic legislative framework, which takes due account of human rights and which seeks an engagement and dialogue with the local Muslim community to promote understanding and respect between different parts of the population", stated Tuomioja.
There are several existing cooperative mechanisms that should be used in furthering dialogue according to Tuomioja. He listed the Barcelona Process and various EuroMed fora, including the foreign ministers' meeting in Tampere in November, the enhanced cooperation between the EU and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, and the ASEM summit to be held in Helsinki in September. Also the Spanish-Turkish initiative on "Alliance of Civilisations" can act as an important bridge builder. Within the Helsinki Process Prince Hassan of Jordania has agreed to convene a round table event with the working title "Participation as an alternative to extremism".
"I also commend the positions of religious and spiritual leaders around the world who have multiplied their efforts to bring about mutual understanding, respect and harmony", said Tuomioja. While political and religious leaders play an important role in reconstructing bridges we should not forget that the "cartoons crisis" has touched ordinary people around the world. It is not only to them, but with them we should be talking. A good example of this is the interfaith forum "Religions in a pluralistic world - unity and diversity", organised by the Finnish civil society which will be held later this year in Espoo, Finland.
"We all need to accept that Europe’s population has changed, that it no longer has a single history and that the future calls for mutual understanding and respect. We need to face up to ignorance and reject the clichés and prejudices that surround Islam. The new Muslim presence poses a series of unavoidable questions to all the citizens of Europe, Christian as well as Muslim. Are we prepared to study the history of civilisations that is present in your lives and which forms part of your pluralistic society", asked Tuomioja.
"The future of Europe with a flourishing Muslim presence and an open European identity will be built by all those who accept this challenge. It will be based on self-criticism, lasting and demanding dialogue, respect for diversity and the expression of common values. The path leads from simple integration to mutual enrichment. It is going to take time and, above all, it means that we are going to have to start trusting each other. After September 11, I think that is the biggest single challenge we face", said Tuomioja.
Minister Tuomioja underlined that one of the reasons why the cartoons created so much anger in the Muslim world was the perception my many Muslims that after to the spectacular and violent events of 9/11 many Western observers and policy makers have tended to lump all forms of Islamism together, and brand them as hostile. Indeed, Western policy makers have been unable to see that Islamism - or Islamic activism has a number of very different streams, only a few of them violent and only a small minority justifying a confrontational response. I believe that the West needs a discriminating strategy that takes account of the diversity of outlooks within political Islamism, stated Tuomioja.
"It is a task for us all to be able to see the diversity in the Muslim world and seek allies amongst Muslims with the view of reinforcing moderate voices on all sides".
Further information: Susanna Parkkonen, Press Attaché to the Minister, tel. +358 40 545 1275.
Foreign Minister Tuomioja's speech