Dutch Government Afraid of Muslim Terror Attacks and Boycotts

Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende has expressed publicly great concern regarding the proposed broadcasting of the documentary on the Quran, violence and incitement by Freedom Party leader Geert Wilders. Balkenende said that he has never before experienced such a situation. The government is afraid of terrorist attacks, threats and an economic boycott of Dutch products. The Prime Minister has said that he does not exclude the possibility that people might get killed. Balkenende based his announcement on an analysis by the National Coordinator of Fighting Terrorism. This analysis also indicated that the situation may lead to attacks against Muslims and mosques in the Netherlands.

www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/article508902.ece/
Premier_wijst_Wilders_op_risicos_film

Terrorist Expert: Government Concern over Quran Documentary Reflects Weakness

“The Dutch Government is insufficiently aware of how its messages are perceived by the Muslim world.” This was stated by Uri Rosenthal, the faction chairman of the Liberal Party in the Dutch Senate and a leading expert on terrorism. He said that by demanding that Wilders not broadcast his movie on the Quran, violence and incitement, the Government is ignoring the fact that this is perceived in Muslim countries as Government pressure without consequences and thus is a sign of weakness. Rosenthal added that the government shows further weakness by stating that it will hold PVV leader Wilders responsible for any violence if his documentary is broadcast. He thinks that Denmark’s firm position on the Mohammed cartoons issue is far more effective than that of the Dutch.

www.trouw.nl/laatstenieuws/laatstenieuws/
article931954.ece/Anticipatie_Nederland_op_Fitna_gezien_als_zwak

Increase in Youth Crimes after Rehabilitation Program

An analysis of seven Amsterdam rehabilitation programs for problematic youngsters shows an increased crime rate. Three quarters of those who had participated in the programs after committing a crime, were involved in more criminal activity than before. A quarter of the youngsters who took part in the programs because of minor transgressions or school truancy commit crimes for the first time after the re-education program. Amsterdam mayor Job Cohen commented that it is impossible to know what would have happened to these youngsters if they had not participated in the program.
www.parool.nl/nieuws/2008/FEB/29/p1.html

Threatened Dutch Minister Cancels trip to Somalia

Bert Koenders, The Minister of Development Cooperation (Labor Party) has canceled his visit to Somalia, after the Dutch intelligence service warned him of direct threats on his life. These threats are related to the announced movie about the Quran, incitement and violence by Freedom Party leader Geert Wilders. Koenders said that it is the first time in his ministerial career that he has had to cancel a trip.
www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/article508867.ece/Koenders_niet_naar_Somalie_wegens_bedreigingen

Union of Airlines Personnel Demands Guarantee for Flying to Muslim Countries

The trade union ‘De Unie’ demands immediate consultation with KLM and other airlines about the risks for airline personnel in Muslim countries. The union wants a guarantee that their members will not become a target for attacks in these countries while on duty. The trade union also wants to know what airline policy will be regarding personnel who refuse to fly to high risk countries.
www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/3441182/__Veiligheid_stewardessen_geeist___.html?p=15,1

Employers’ Organizations Ask Wilders to Cancel Movie

Three leading employers’ organizations have called upon Freedom party leader Geert Wilders to cancel the broadcasting of his movie on the Quran, incitement and violence. They say that Wilders must take into account Dutch interests abroad and labor relations in Dutch companies. They also say that the damage to the Netherlands could be greater than that caused to Denmark by the publication of the Mohammed cartoons because the Dutch economy is bigger.

www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/article508940.ece/Bedrijfsleven_vraagt_Wilders_af_te_zien_van_film?service=Print

Mice a Safety Risk on Planes of Dutch Airline

On the basis of information from anonymous flight crews, the Telegraaf daily claims that for months Dutch Transavia Airline Boeing plans have been flying with mice on board. The paper states that the same sources say that the company’s management was aware of this. Thirteen mice were found on one plane. Rodents on planes could attack electric cables, endangering plane safety. www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/3416603/_Muizen_in_Boeings_Transavia__.html