On the first day in nine years that he has not had a state-sponsored death threat hanging over him, Salman Rushdie yesterday paid tribute to those injured or killed following the publication of his book The Satanic Verses.
At a news conference in London Rushdie paid tribute to the Japanese translator of the book who was stabbed to death. He also mentioned the Italian translator, who was stabbed, and the "distinguished Norwegian publisher who suffered an assassination attempt."
But he said he would not be apologising for writing The Satanic Verses.
He was speaking after Iran issued a statement on Thursday distancing itself from the Islamic fatwa issued against him. The Iranian move was rewarded with a resumption of full diplomatic relations by Britain.