HAARETZ: The European Commission, fearing violence in Islamic nations over an anti-Koran film being made by a Dutch lawmaker, said Wednesday it has sent a memo to its foreign staff on how to handle inquiries about the film.
The EU's executive office did not put forward a position on the film by
lawmaker Geert Wilders, which has not yet been released. Its memo to EU offices worldwide was meant only to keep them posted on developments in the European Union, the commission said.
In 2006, the appearance in European newspapers of 12 caricatures of the
Prophet Mohammad that originally appeared in a Danish newspaper prompted violent protests in Islamic nations.
EU spokeswoman Christiane Hohmann says the memo on the film suggests that EU staff abroad handle any questions by stressing that tolerance and freedom of speech are issues we value very highly in Europe.
The Dutch government has been working for weeks to limit fallout in the Muslim world.
It has increased security at its embassies and urged Wilders to scrap his film for the sake of Dutch national interests and the safety of Dutch citizens abroad. Wilders, who is extremely critical about Islam, has refused to do so. EU braces for outrage over Dutch lawmaker's anti-Koran film >>> By The Associated Press
RADIO NETHERLANDS WORLDWIDE:
Pakistan Protests Against Wilders Film
REUTERS:
Anti-Koran Dutch Film "Propagates Hate" – Pakistan | Wed Mar 5, 2008
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