Via the EU Observer: “Turkish foreign minister Abdullah Gul has called upon EU states to extend their anti-defamation laws to ensure respect for Islam, an idea rejected by the Netherlands which also opposes a European Commission initiative for a joint UN resolution with islamic states. “

If this report is accurate (the EU Observer is usually a good source), and if Mr. Gul’s views are those of his government, Turkey really does need to stop its slide back into the Middle Ages before discussions on the country’s potential EU membership go any further.

“Free speech is free speech is free speech. There is no but.”