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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/12/us-ambassador-to-the-hague-apologizes-for-making-muslim-remarks-after-denial
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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| US ambassador to The Hague apologizes for making Muslim remarks after denial | US ambassador to The Hague apologizes for making Muslim remarks after denial |
| (11 days later) | |
| The new US ambassador to The Hague has apologised for saying Muslim migrants had created “no-go zones” and “burned” politicians in the Netherlands. | The new US ambassador to The Hague has apologised for saying Muslim migrants had created “no-go zones” and “burned” politicians in the Netherlands. |
| In extracts from an interview with De Telegraaf newspaper to be published in full on Saturday, Pete Hoekstra said that with hindsight, “I’m shocked I said it. It was a misstatement. It was simply wrong.” | In extracts from an interview with De Telegraaf newspaper to be published in full on Saturday, Pete Hoekstra said that with hindsight, “I’m shocked I said it. It was a misstatement. It was simply wrong.” |
| Hoekstra, a Dutch-born former Republican congressman who was Donald Trump’s pick to represent the US, added: “I got countries mixed up. I got it wrong, and I don’t know how it could have happened.” | Hoekstra, a Dutch-born former Republican congressman who was Donald Trump’s pick to represent the US, added: “I got countries mixed up. I got it wrong, and I don’t know how it could have happened.” |
| During a panel discussion in 2015, Hoekstra said “the Islamic movement” had caused “chaos in the Netherlands – there are cars being burned. There are politicians that are being burned and, yes, there are no-go zones in the Netherlands”. | During a panel discussion in 2015, Hoekstra said “the Islamic movement” had caused “chaos in the Netherlands – there are cars being burned. There are politicians that are being burned and, yes, there are no-go zones in the Netherlands”. |
| The ambassador caused upset on his first day on the job this week after presenting his credentials to King Willem-Alexander, clashing with reporters and refusing to answer repeated requests for clarification about the statements. | The ambassador caused upset on his first day on the job this week after presenting his credentials to King Willem-Alexander, clashing with reporters and refusing to answer repeated requests for clarification about the statements. |
| One journalist asked if the ambassador could name a politician who had been set on fire in the Netherlands in recent years, while another observed: “This is the Netherlands, you have to answer questions.” | One journalist asked if the ambassador could name a politician who had been set on fire in the Netherlands in recent years, while another observed: “This is the Netherlands, you have to answer questions.” |
| Last month Hoekstra denied making the remarks altogether, telling a Dutch TV interviewer he was making “an incorrect statement … that is fake news.” After he was played a recording of his remarks, he then denied using the term fake news. | Last month Hoekstra denied making the remarks altogether, telling a Dutch TV interviewer he was making “an incorrect statement … that is fake news.” After he was played a recording of his remarks, he then denied using the term fake news. |
| A state department official said on Thursday the department did not agree with the 2015 remarks, adding that Hoekstra will visit Dutch Muslim communities over the weekend. | A state department official said on Thursday the department did not agree with the 2015 remarks, adding that Hoekstra will visit Dutch Muslim communities over the weekend. |
| “The ambassador made mistakes in 2015, made comments that should not have been made. He recognises that,” under secretary of state Steve Goldstein told a Washington briefing. | “The ambassador made mistakes in 2015, made comments that should not have been made. He recognises that,” under secretary of state Steve Goldstein told a Washington briefing. |
| “We have made clear to the ambassador that he must move to get this behind him. And he definitely understands that. He feels great remorse.” | “We have made clear to the ambassador that he must move to get this behind him. And he definitely understands that. He feels great remorse.” |
| Goldstein said Hoekstra’s comments were “not the position of the state department, and you will never hear those words from this podium or in any form”, he said. | Goldstein said Hoekstra’s comments were “not the position of the state department, and you will never hear those words from this podium or in any form”, he said. |
| Separately, Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte said that he disagreed with Hoekstra, but stressed he wanted to build “viable” ties with the US administration. | Separately, Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte said that he disagreed with Hoekstra, but stressed he wanted to build “viable” ties with the US administration. |
| “He seems to be an intelligent man, and he has had instructions from Washington to repair the misunderstanding,” he added. | “He seems to be an intelligent man, and he has had instructions from Washington to repair the misunderstanding,” he added. |
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| Trump administration | Trump administration |
| Islam | Islam |
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