Theo van Gogh introduced Vincent and Van Rappard, who lived in Brussels, in 1880, and the pair corresponded for four years.

BBC: A new book of Van Gogh's letters is to be published in 2008-9

Theo Van Gogh, Pim Fortuyn, and others in Europe.

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Hirsi Ali's labors brought her to Theo Van Gogh.

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In the Netherlands, Mohammed Bouyeri, who had confessed in court to killing Theo van Gogh , a controversial film-maker, and said he would be ready to do it again, was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

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But throughout her tenure she was a calming influence on society, particularly in the aftermath of the 2002 assassination of populist politician Pim Fortuyn and the murder two years later of filmmaker Theo van Gogh by a Muslim extremist.

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His task will be the more delicate as opinion in his country, never too keen on Turkish entry, has turned strongly against, largely as a result of the turmoil over Islam that followed the murder of Theo Van Gogh last month.

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It already holds about 700 Van Gogh letters, mostly to his brother Theo.

BBC: A new book of Van Gogh's letters is to be published in 2008-9