The bombings in London have left three out of four Danes expecting a terror attack

Copenhagen Post:

The terror attacks in London last week have left Danes living in fear that the nation will join the list of countries that have fallen victim to terrorism.

In a Gallup poll taken for national daily Berlingske Tidende and published on Tuesday, 75 percent of Danes said that it was very likely or probable that Denmark in the near future would be the target of a terror attack carried out by a fundamental Islamic group.

Less than a year ago, only half of those asked expected the country to be struck by a terror attack. Half believed that an attack was unlikely.

The change in attitudes comes after the group claiming responsibility for the London attack singled out Denmark and Italy as possible targets for a terror attack, given the countries' contributions to international military coalitions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Marc Remillard of the Democratic Council of Armed Forces, said that he could understand Danes' fears.

'You think that if it can happen in London - a city many Danes have visited or even lived in - then it can also happen here,' he said. 'London is an attractive city that is neither associated with Afghanistan nor Iraq, rather it's more like Copenhagen times eight. Therefore, it's clear that Danes are afraid.'

Another expert, Peter Viggo Jakobsen, head of the conflict research department at Denmark's Institute for International Studies, said he felt an attack was no more or less likely after the London bombings.

'We have been a target all along because we have been so close to the US in both Afghanistan and Iraq,' said Jakobsen. 'I maintain that the risk is not very great, and I don't feel that the London attack has changed anything at all in terms of threats against us. There have been threats against us before - even though then we were mistaken for Norway.'

The fear of terror related to Denmark's presence in Iraq, however, failed to shake Danes support for the nation's 500 soldiers stationed near the southern city of Basra.

Half of those asked, 50 percent, said that it was the correct decision to participate in the war against Iraq. Forty-three percent were against.

Despite the split opinion on sending troops to Iraq, 75 percent said that Danish soldiers should either remain in Iraq until there was no longer a need for them or that a date for their withdrawal should be set. Only 25 percent would withdraw the troops immediately.

Danes' answers, said Jakobsen, were a sign of their defiance.

'It's the same we've seen in London,' Jakobsen said. 'They bloody well won't force us to do something.'

Today's poll comes after Copenhagen police yesterday were forced to evacuate part of the area surrounding the royal residence for several hours due to a bomb threat.

A palace guard spotted a suspicious-looking suitcase near one of the palace buildings and immediately alerted police of its presence.

A bomb squad was called in to investigate and after shooting at the suitcase to open it, it was discovered that it contained nothing more harmful than clothing, a tube of toothpaste, and comb, reported national broadcaster DR.

None of the members of the royal family were home at the time.

Danes fear terror attack

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