BULGARIA - PRESIDENT AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS CALL FOR

UNCLAS SOFIA 000220

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KISL KPAO BU
SUBJECT: BULGARIA - PRESIDENT AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS CALL FOR
TOLERANCE IN WAKE OF CARTOON CONTROVERSY

REF: STATE 20587


1. SUMMARY: Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov used a media-
sponsored tolerance event to call for tolerance in the wake
of violence inspired by cartoons of Mohammed. The previously-
scheduled event, sponsored jointly by Bulgaria's Turkish-
language daily and the largest circulation Bulgarian
newspaper, was quickly repackaged to address the
international turmoil caused by the Danish publications.
Representatives of Bulgaria's three main religions --
Christianity, Islam and Judaism -- came together to mark the
common origins of their faiths in the presence of Bulgaria's
Chief Mufti Hadzhi, the Rector of the Bulgarian Orthodox
Seminary Archbishop Sion and representatives of Bulgaria's
Jewish Council. Prime Minister Stanishev has also called upon
the Bulgarian media to exercise the necessary respect when
reporting on religion, while condemning the acts of violence
that have occurred. END SUMMARY.


2. In his remarks at the Feb. 9 event, President Purvanov
said that he accepted the invitation "...to keep alive the
spirit of tolerance, understanding, cooperation, and
solidarity, which exists among all of us, regardless of
religious, ethnic or other differences." Purvanov used the
opportunity to touch on the sensitive issue of the Mohammed
cartoons by saying that "the issues of religious and ethnic
tolerance are not solved once and for all, even in a country
like Bulgaria. Some events we have been observing lately
have come to show us that these issues are highly sensitive
and tension-prone. This is why we need the wisdom, maturity
and responsibility, exhibited by everyone in Bulgaria -- the
Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church, the Chief Mufti's Office,
the Bulgarian government, which reacted quickly and
adequately."


3. Chief Mufti Hadzhi and Archbishop Sion also spoke about
the importance of respect and tolerance among religions.
Embassy officers attended the event, which brought together
more than 200 Bulgarians of various religious and ethnic
backgrounds. Hadzhi noted that Ashure Day (the original
reason for the event) has been celebrated for centuries by
Bulgarian Muslims but "lives in the heart of the entire
Bulgarian nation. This is proof of the peaceful co-existence
and the good will of all people in Bulgaria." For Bulgaria's
Muslims, who are predominantly Sunni, Ashure or Ashura has
been a day of fasting since the time of the early Muslim
community. It marks two historical events: the day Nuh (Noah)
left the Ark, and the day that Musa (Moses) was saved from
the Egyptians by Allah.


4. On February 6, Prime Minister Stanishev also made the
following statement in response to the controversy. "Bulgaria
is country where the different religious communities have co-
existed for centuries in a spirit of mutual tolerance and
respect. I believe that any infringement on the religious
beliefs and convictions of the citizens is unacceptable. I
regret that the freedom of expression and press - one of the
pillars of any democratic society - could be used in a way,
which is perceived as an offence by the faithful, regardless
of their religious background. I call on the Bulgarian media
to show the necessary respect and to keep in mind the
sentiment of the Muslim community when printing their
material. I understand the feelings of indignation and anger
among the Muslims in various countries around the world, but
I also think that the acts of violence and intolerance are
unacceptable."


5. COMMENT: Although two Bulgarian newspapers have published
the Mohammed cartoons, the Muslim response here has been
muted. While no doubt offended, Muslim religious leaders have
called for peaceful protests. Stressing Bulgaria's tradition
of ethnic/religious tolerance, the Government is also working
to head off any larger problem.
BEYRLE