New NATO Head Rasmussen - 1, Islamic Rage Boy's - 0

To smooth things over, rumor had it the new head of NATO, Fogh Rasmussen, had promised to apologize to the Muslims for the Danish cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed.

He didn't. That's one man I have enormous respect for:

Anders Fogh Rasmussen sought to smooth Muslim reservations during first international appearance after being nominated to become Nato’s next leader

Former Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen reiterated today that he condemns the demonising of cultural groups, but did not fulfil expectations that he might issue an apology for the 2005 publication of cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed.

Rasmussen was nominated as Nato’s next secretary general on Saturday after weeks of Turkish reservations about his handling of the Muslim protests of the cartoons’ publication, and it was expected by some in the Muslim world that as part of a tit-for-tat deal to secure Turkey’s support he would apologise during a scheduled appearance at the UN Alliance of Civilisations conference in Istanbul today.

But Rasmussen said his position had remained unchanged.

In other related news the cartoonist, Kurt Westergaard, has decided that he will hide no more.

Islamic extremists placed a $1m price on his head after he dared to mock Muslim suicide bombers by depicting the Prophet Muhammad with a bomb in his turban.

For three years he was forced underground to avoid would-be assassins.

But Mr Westergaard has decided that he will hide no more.

"I am 73 years old," he says.

"Most of my life is over. I am too old to be afraid. I have complete faith in PET [the Danish Secret Service]."

Not only has he emerged from hiding but he has also gone on the offensive, contributing to a recently published Danish book. His new cartoons are not as provocative as the Muhammad bomb but they satirise Islam and politicians who appease the mullahs.

Good to see Mr Rasmussen didn't let Westergaard down.

Crossposted at Jawa Report