FILM ABOUT ISLAM PRODUCED BY DUTCH PARLIAMENTARIAN TO BE MADE AVAILABLE ONLINE
PanARMENIAN.Net
14.03.2008 16:02 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Debates between the Dutch government and
parliamentarian Geert Wilders ended in a compromise. The latter agreed
not to screen his film "Fitna" labeling Islam as "outdated culture"
and Koran as "fascist book."
Geert said he shot the film in memory of Theo Van Gogh who was killed
by an Islamic extremist in 2004 over a film he made accusing Islam
of condoning violence against women.
Fearing reaction of the Islamic world, Dutch parliamentarians called
to cancel the screening.
The Netherlands has a four-stage risk classification system. The
lowest is "minimal," the highest is "critical."
The counter-terrorism agency cut the threat level to the second-lowest
"limited" last April, citing little fresh activity by militant
networks in the country and growing resistance to radicalization
among the one million Muslims in the Netherlands.
Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende warned Wilders that the release
of his film could have "far-reaching security consequences" and even
"deaths," calling on him to take responsibility for the possible
consequences of the film.
Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen said screening would be an
irresponsible step. He also met ambassadors from Muslim countries to
discuss the matter, emphasizing that the government does not share
Wilders’ views. He asked them to make sure that Dutch citizens and
buildings abroad are protected.
15-minute "Fitna" will be made available online only.
Wilders, whose party has 9 seats in the Dutch parliament, is guarded
by the police.