DFAT issues warning over “cartoon” violence
The Federal Government has warned Australians intending to travel to a number of Middle Eastern countries to exercise extreme caution as Muslim protests continue over cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed.
Travel advisories for Syria, Lebanon, Iran and Israel have been updated and reissued.
The protests have led to the temporary closure of Australia’s mission in the Palestinian West Bank town of Ramallah.
Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer has told parliament it shares the building with the Danish mission.
“Of course the Danish mission has been particularly subjected to protests and we are liaising to ensure the security of Danish consulates here in Australia,” he said.
“There isn’t a Danish embassy but there are consulates and so we are obviously focussed on the security of those missions.”
He said while the Government did not have a right to order newspaper editors not to publish the cartoons, he warned it could result in Australian embassies being attacked and the cancellation of trade contracts.
“I don’t think it’s the role of the Government to tell newspapers what to publish. I see the cartoons they produce of me and John [Howard] and they are usually incredibly offensive but that is the nature of society,” Mr Downer said.
Federal Opposition Leader Kim Beazley said publication of the cartoon in Australian papers was “unwise”.
“It’s an offensive cartoon,” he said.
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