Sunday, March 2, 2008

Dutch PM warns of attacks due to anti-Islam film

http://entertainews.blogspot.com


By Gilbert Kreijger


AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -
The Netherlands risks economic
sanctions and attacks on its citizens and businesses because of
a plan by a right-wing politician to broadcast an anti-Islamic
film, the Dutch Prime Minister warned on Friday.

Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders, who has called for the Koran
to be banned and likened it to Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf, has
made a film in which he presents his views about Islam's holy
text.

"Dutch products have been rejected at an exhibition, the
Taliban (in Afghanistan) announces actions against Dutch
soldiers, stewardesses are afraid to work on certain air
flights," Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende told journalists
during a televised briefing.

He did not rule out the possibility people could be killed.

In 2006 demonstrations and rioting erupted in many Muslim
countries after Danish cartoons, one showing the Prophet with a
turban resembling a bomb, appeared in a Danish newspaper. At
least 50 people were killed and three Danish embassies
attacked.

Balkenende did not call upon Wilders to stop his broadcast
plan but emphasized the Dutch government does not share
Wilders' views. He said the cabinet was obliged to point out
the risks of transmitting the film and had talked to Wilders.

Wilders said on his Web site: "Our Prime Minister is so
afraid of the consequences of the film that he seems to give in
to Islam instead of defending our democratic values and rights.
Let me make one thing clear: the film will be broadcast."

Wilders, who is the target of death treats on Islamic
militant Web sites, said he had completed the film and was in
negotiations with TV stations for its broadcast.

Media reported he expected it to air in March or April.

Wilders' party has nine of the 150 seats in the Dutch
parliament, and has gained support in recent opinion polls. He
has warned of a "tsunami of Islamisation" in a country that is
home to nearly one million Muslims.

Three Dutch employers organizations called upon Wilders to
not broadcast the film, saying it would harm trade.

"We reject insulting statements and a lack of respect,"
said the chairman of the VNO-NCW employers' group, Bernard
Wientjes.

Elsewhere, Turkey has voiced concern about the film, the
Iranian government has called it a "provocative and Satanic"
act, while Pakistan this week condemned all efforts to
denigrate Islam.

In 2004 the Netherlands was plunged into turmoil when an
Islamic militant killed director Theo Van Gogh over a
television film accusing Islam of condoning violence against
women.

Wilders has called his film "Fitna," an Arabic term used in
the Koran and sometimes translated as "strife."

(Editing by Matthew Jones)

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