Danes on edge over possible terrorist attack
February 03, 2006 Edition 1
Copenhagen - Danes have expressed fear and outrage on the streets here at a ballooning conflict between their country and the Muslim world over cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed published in a Danish newspaper.
"I'm afraid that there'll be a terrorist attack, because we've already seen this in London," said Anders Holm, a 20-year-old student.
"I try, as far as possible, to avoid going to Noerrport (a large Copenhagen train station), as thousands of people pass through there every day. But you still have to take the train sometimes," he added.
Over the past week, Danish flags have been burnt, ambassadors have been recalled, products have been boycotted and threats of violence have been issued against Scandinavians across the Muslim world.
"I am worried about Danes who are currently in the Middle East. And I am worried here (in Denmark), because when you see the pictures of demonstrators burning our flag, it's something you need to take seriously," Danish researcher Jens Nilsson said.
Security companies, which in recent days have been asked to boost safety measures around companies, hotels and media groups, have also felt the strain of threats against Danish interests at home and abroad.
Even before the controversial caricatures were published, Denmark faced numerous threats of attacks from Islamic radicals over its current participation, with 530 troops, in the US-led military presence in Iraq. - Sapa-AFP
