UPDATE
01.18.08, 9:32 AM ET
(Update adds academic’s comments)
THE HAGUE (Thomson Financial) – The Dutch government has played down reports it is growing increasingly concerned about possible political and social fallout from a planned anti-Islamic film.
According to media reports, the government held crisis talks over the film by far-right MP Geert Wilders, which is sharply critical of Islam and of the Koran. The film is due to be released this month.
Authorities have also prepared for a possible evacuation of Dutch embassies and citizens from the Middle East in the event of the film’s planned release going ahead, De Volkskrant newspaper and RTL-news said.