Danes rally against Iraq war

2005-02-05 20:29

Copenhagen - About 1 500 people demonstrated in Copenhagen on Saturday against the US-led occupation of Iraq and called for the withdrawal of Denmark's 525 troops deployed there.

At the protest rally, held three days before Denmark goes to the polls in a general election expected to return the centre-right coalition government to power, demonstrators waved US flags featuring skulls-and-crossbones instead of stars, and banners reading "No More War" and "Bring the Troops Home".

They called on the government of Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, a staunch ally of the United States, to withdraw Danish troops from Iraq.

"Denmark is part of the US-led occupation forces. It must pull out immediately and stop being Washington's lackey in this illegal and bloody war," the head of the opposition Socialist People's Party, Holger Nielsen, told the protesters.

"The debate on this illegal war ... has been stifled by the government in this campaign for the February 8 election because Anders Fogh know that it is a controversial and unpopular issue where he risks losing votes," he said.

"This occupation has created even more terrorists," Nielsen said.

According to a poll published last week, 69% of Danes think that the war in Iraq has made the world a less safe place and increased the threat of terrorism.

Saturday's demonstration was organised by Danish cultural figures, including famed film director Lars von Trier as well as a number of writers, musicians and actors.

- AFP