News from Finland's Very Own Cartoon Controversy

Our special correspondent in Oulu gives us the latest news from the cartoon controversy in Finland and about the sense of brotherhood among Scandinavians (that much-vaunted European solidarity that the Americans are so unfortunate not to have): On Sunday March 5,

we had a public appointment with the cartoonist (Ville Ranta) and the leader of muslims of Northern Finland and some other muslims. There was press and Tv cameras (Finnish Tv 1) … There was officials of the City of Oulu and the politicians who gave the sack to Ville. The leader of the muslims thought that Ville is a racist and he said ... Islam is a peaceful religion... and so on... He said: Because of those Danish caricatures people will die and why you Ville draw cartoons like that too in here peaceful Finland... and you cartoonist should not do things like that anymore (He was mothering us : Don't do things like that, children, or I will punish you : ) ). Later Jaana Suorsa asked who kill those people because of some stupid drawings.. just paper and ink... not bullets and bombs... actually they didn't like what she said very much...