(C) C-DI8-00223: PROBABLE UK REACTION TO DUTCH

S E C R E T LONDON 000676 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR PTER KISL UK SUBJECT: (C) C-DI8-00223: PROBABLE UK REACTION TO DUTCH ANTI-ISLAM VIDEO REF: STATE 20821 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Maura Connelly for reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (S) In response to ref questions, Post informally contacted Metropolitan Police's Diplomatic Protection Group regarding measures HMG may be taking in preparation for the release of the Dutch anti-Islam video. To the best of the Diplomatic Protection Group's knowledge, no specific protective intelligence unit is being established or other additional protective steps planned in advance of the possible release of the film. A specific diplomatic protective unit was established after publication of the Danish cartoons, but has since disbanded. At present the Metropolitan Police have no intelligence on planned protests or possible disorder in the UK associated with the release of the film. Should the film be released, Metropolitan Police intelligence units will monitor the situation. (Embassy comment. Post RSO is aware that the Danish embassy in London suffered criminal damage the week of March 3, 2008, in response to several cartoons which were reprinted in Danish newspapers. End comment.) ¶2. (S) If the release of the video sparks demonstrations in the UK similar to those that occurred when the Danish cartoons were published in 2006, Post would expect the Metropolitan Police to monitor and video any demonstration. Any demonstrators who call for violence will subsequently be arrested (but not during the demonstration). Depending on what demonstrators may say, they will be arrested or detained and charged for incitement to terrorism. MI5 (the domestic security service) will review the background of any individuals who participate in demonstrations and call for violence. The recently strengthened "incitement to terrorism" legislation is too new for the Embassy (or HMG) to know whether any charges brought against individuals for statements made at a demonstration over the film would survive court challenge. Senior Home Office (Ministry of Interior) officials have told the Embassy that they are not overly concerned that terror charges will be struck down by UK courts. ¶3. (U) Only a few papers in the UK published the Danish cartoons during the controversy over their publication in a Danish paper. At the time of the cartoon controversy, protests were held at the Danish Embassy and elsewhere in which placards calling for bombings of civilians were displayed. Ultimately several persons were prosecuted on charges of incitement. ¶4. (C) Post has spoken with officials in the Home Office (RICU) who are in charge of HMG's public diplomacy/counter terrorism messaging. RICU officials are aware of the Dutch anti-Islam video and will develop public diplomacy talking points for British officials domestic and abroad should the videos cause a reaction in Britain's Muslim communities or provoke demonstrations of protest. Visit London's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/london/index. cfm TUTTLE