Nato fears over Dutch Islam film

As long as we live in a polarised, suspicious world it would be easy for fringe groups to rattle and be rattled. The world needs two things in short supply - education and tolerance. Both the critics of Islam and its violent defenders come short on the two.

The film has been condemned by several Muslim countries

Nato's secretary general says he fears the airing of a Dutch film criticising Islam will have repercussions for troops in Afghanistan.

Jaap de Hoop Scheffer's comments came after Afghans protested on Sunday against the film being made by far-right Dutch MP Geert Wilders.

The Dutch government has warned Mr Wilders that the film will damage Dutch political and economic interests.

Mr Wilders says the film is about the Koran but has given few details.

In the past, he has called for the Koran to be banned and likened it to Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf.

The project has already been condemned by several Muslim countries, including Iran and Pakistan.

Nato's secretary general said he was concerned about his troops after the protests against the film in Afghanistan.

"If the [troops] find themselves in the line of fire because of the film, then I am worried about it and I am expressing that concern," he said in a television interview. [for more click on the heading]