UN chief slams anti-Islam video

UNITED NATIONS—UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Friday strongly condemned the Internet broadcast of a video made by the Dutch politician Geert Wilders, describing it as “offensively anti-Islamic,” while calling on those upset by the film to remain calm.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson after last night’s airing of the film, entitled Fitna, Ban said “there is no justification for hate speech or incitement to violence. The right of free expression is not at stake here”.
“I acknowledge the efforts of the Dutch Government to stop the broadcast of this film and appeal for calm to those understandably offended by it. Freedom must always be accompanied by social responsibility.”
The Secretary-General stressed that the United Nations stands at the locus of global efforts to advance mutual respect, understanding and dialogue between different cultures, religions and groups.
In 2005 Spain and Turkey established the Alliance of Civilizations under the auspices of the UN to promote better cross-cultural relations around the world, and last year Ban appointed the former Portuguese president Jorge Sampaio as the High Representative for the Alliance. 

—Agencies