Dutch Ambassador Nicolas Beets here Wednesday distanced his country's government from a gathering storm over Fitna, a 15-minute film made by Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders, which he plans to post on the Internet by the end of this month. Already bloggers are debating how to respond to the next “insult” to Islam, shortly after the second Danish cartoon controversy. Dutch Ambassador Beets expressed his government's concerns about the release of the film that strongly criticizes Islam. “Mr. Wilders does not represent the opinion of the Dutch government on this issue,” said Beets during a press conference Wednesday afternoon. “Nor does his conception of Islam represent the perspective or policy of the Dutch government in any way. I am saying this on behalf of my government and the one million Muslims in the Netherlands.” According to the Dutch Ambassador, no one has seen the film yet and the government cannot act against Wilders until the film has been screened. “Mr. Wilders claims that he has a film, but we don't know what it is truly about, yet, however, taking into account the Dutch constitution the government sees no possibilities to stop the film before broadcasting.” Once the film has been broadcast the government will investigate the possibility that Wilders has committed criminal offenses and the Public Prosecution Service will take a discussion whether or not to prosecute. “According to law we can't stop the film from being aired but if the film incites hatred or discrimination then Wilders can be charged,” explained Beets. The Netherlands government has become worried that such a film could lead to segregating Muslim society and even the security of Dutch nationals and business and troops in other countries. After the film was announced by Wilders, the Dutch troops in Afghanistan came under threat, said Beets. “Already we are having to take account of serious threats to Dutch people and Dutch interest in a number of countries,” he said. Regarding increasing security around the Embassy in Riyadh, the ambassador said that security was already high and had been for a while, but said that no threats have been made to the Embassy in Riyadh. “Freedom does not absolve anyone from responsibility and we have the duty to point this out to Mr. Wilders,” read a statement by the Netherlands Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende up on meeting with Wilders to inform him of the consequence of his actions. “This is why we are speaking out today, because we care about the safety of Dutch nationals and business in other countries,” read the statement. Trade between the Kingdom and the Netherlands reaches 6 million euros, which might be affected by boycotts by angry Muslims. In an attempt to stress the Dutch government's stand against the film, both the prime minister and the Dutch foreign minister issued statements distancing themselves and the government from Wilders film. __
