ISLAMABAD, 18 February 2006 — Former US President Bill Clinton yesterday called the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) a mistake. “I strongly disagree with the creation and publication of cartoons that are considered blasphemous by Muslims around the world. I thought it was a mistake (to publish them).”
Clinton, who completed two terms at the White House, was addressing a joint news conference here with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.
Clinton said he had no objection to Muslims staging massive demonstrations across the world as long as they were peaceful.
The former president said Islam was a fast-growing religion in the United States and in Europe. “I don’t think the people of Denmark endorsed such publications.”
He, however, said journalists and writers should bridge the gap between civilizations and cultures.
Aziz said Clinton was a friend of Pakistan. “He is visiting Pakistan to help this country in its efforts to combat HIV. The prime minister said Clinton had played a vital role in creating inter-faith harmony.
Clinton, who arrived early yesterday for a day-long trip, held talks with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Aziz. He signed an agreement under which the Clinton Foundation will help Pakistan with HIV/AIDS treatment, care and prevention.
Musharraf thanked Clinton for the HIV/AIDS program and help extended after the October earthquake, while Clinton praised Musharraf’s efforts to promote peace and stability in South Asia, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“The two leaders exchanged views on a wide range of subjects. The President (Musharraf) underscored the importance that Pakistan attaches to a broad-based, long-term sustainable relationship with the United States,” the statement said.
The 7.6-magnitude quake killed nearly 74,000 people, injured as many and made an estimated 3.5 million people homeless.
