ANNAN'S WORDS

I know, we are all getting tired of the cartoon crisis. But hey, it is still happening...

I have never been a fan of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. I don't know, I have never had any real reason to be a fan of his. So I can't say I am surprised or disappointed about his opinion on newspapers that insist on printing the infamous Muhammad cartoons.

According to Annan, publishing those cartoons is insensitive, offensive and provocative and "they (the newspapers) should see what has happened around the world". He goes on to say that he is not against freedom of speech or of the press (well, is not being against something automatically the same as being for something? I have my doubts), and adds that free speech carries responsibility and judgment (whatever that means).

The worst part though was when he decided to condemn the violent protests - "they should not attack innocent civilians. They should not attack people who are not responsible for the publication of the cartoons."

Er, excuse me, Mr. Secretary-General, do you mean to say that it would be okay for the demonstrators to attack military facilities and/or personnel (as they did in Afghanistan a couple of days ago)? And do you mean to say that it would also be okay to attack those who are responsible for the cartoons and their publication?

Seriously, it is absurd that a man in his position would utter words of such idiotic nature. Talk about responsibility and judgment - Mr. Annan could definitely exercise some of that. As a public figure at the helm of one of the world's most important organizations, he should understand that his words have considerable impact (unfortunately) and will be heard and read by millions and millions of people.

Mr. Annan might as well have said to the protesters - "go ahead; since the newspapers who published the cartoons are at fault, you are more than justified in your ire. Just please direct all your violence toward military personnel and those who are responsible for creating and publishing the cartoons and you will be beyond reproach."

His message should have been quite different. It should have been a call for tolerance and multiculturalism, of acceptance of diversity in religion, law, customs and the like. A call for reality, that is.