US sides with Muslims in European cartoon dispute

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Washington on Friday condemned
caricatures in European newspapers of Islam’s Prophet Mohammad,
siding with Muslims who are outraged that the publications put
press freedom over respect for religion.

“These cartoons are indeed offensive to the belief of
Muslims,” State Department spokesman Kurtis Cooper said in
answer to a question. “We all fully recognize and respect
freedom of the press and expression but it must be coupled with
press responsibility. Inciting religious or ethnic hatreds in
this manner is not acceptable.”