Dutch parliament dissolves

[Sir Bandelot]

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende's coalition government collapsed on Saturday when the two largest parties failed to agree on whether to withdraw troops from Afghanistan this year as planned.

The fall of the government in the EU member country, just two days short of the coalition's third anniversary, all but guarantees that the 2,000 Dutch troops will be brought home this year and will eventually prompt new parliamentary elections.

...

NATO had asked the Netherlands, among the top 10 contributing nations to the mission, to investigate the possibility of a longer stay in Afghanistan as the alliance seeks to contain the Taliban insurgency. NATO spokesman James Appathurai said NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen respected the Dutch discussion and NATO would not interfere.

"The Secretary General continues to believe that the best way forward for the mission would be a new smaller Dutch mission to consolidate the progress that the Dutch have made until now, and to help the process of transition to Afghan lead," he said.

"A withdrawal will damage the reputation of the Dutch as a reliable partner that is willing and able to contribute to important military missions," said Edwin Bakker, a senior research fellow at the Clingendael Institute in The Hague.

[\quote]

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/100220/world/international_us_dutch_government_afghanistan

I think the Dutch are right to withdraw and NATO has no right to interfere. Problem is the situation has deteriorated there so badly it's difficult to justify a pull out at this time, because of the impact of the mission. This could affect Canada's decision to withdraw in 2011. Canada will not be seen as a "reliable partner" as well, and you know what that means... $$$

We are locked in a dispute that has little real meaning for Canadian people. And Harper et al knows it and so wants to do the right thing, but I'll be surprised if they actually do it. For one thing it's an admission that there was no point in the mission, if we leave before the "job is done". It will never be the western utopia we seem to wish for. There will never be a "Hedonism II" resort on the shores of Hamun-e Helmand.

Edited February 20, 2010 by Sir Bandelot

[Argus]

- Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende's coalition government collapsed on Saturday when the two largest parties failed to agree on whether to withdraw troops from Afghanistan this year as planned.

[\quote]

We'll have to see how Girt Wilders' party does then. I think a recent poll showed them as number one. It could be interesting if he winds up becoming prime minister.

Edited February 20, 2010 by Argus

[wyly]

it'll be more interesting if he can be PM from a prison cell

[Argus]

it'll be more interesting if he can be PM from a prison cell

If he winds up imprissoned you can pretty much write off the Netherlands as a democracy, for it'll be clear that there is little in the way of freedom there.

[wyly]

If he winds up imprissoned you can pretty much write off the Netherlands as a democracy, for it'll be clear that there is little in the way of freedom there.

it has more personal freedoms and more democratic than Canada actually...

[naomiglover]

If he winds up imprissoned you can pretty much write off the Netherlands as a democracy, for it'll be clear that there is little in the way of freedom there.

Have you written off other European countries as a democracy for imprisoning holocaust deniers?

[Topaz]

Do most Canadians believe Harper when he said Canada will pull out because if they do, it probably won't happen. I wouldn't be surprised if the US has already asked Canada to stay and Harper probably said only if I can get a majority, then we'll make it mandatory for 18-30 to do five year in the military. I think every country has the right to withdrawal from this senseless corrupt war and country. For all we know OBL is dead, so its time to end these wars.

[M.Dancer]

What brand toaster do you use again>?

Edited March 22, 2010 by M.Dancer

[msdogfood]

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende's coalition government collapsed on Saturday when the two largest parties failed to agree on whether to withdraw troops from Afghanistan this year as planned.

The fall of the government in the EU member country, just two days short of the coalition's third anniversary, all but guarantees that the 2,000 Dutch troops will be brought home this year and will eventually prompt new parliamentary elections.

...

NATO had asked the Netherlands, among the top 10 contributing nations to the mission, to investigate the possibility of a longer stay in Afghanistan as the alliance seeks to contain the Taliban insurgency. NATO spokesman James Appathurai said NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen respected the Dutch discussion and NATO would not interfere.

"The Secretary General continues to believe that the best way forward for the mission would be a new smaller Dutch mission to consolidate the progress that the Dutch have made until now, and to help the process of transition to Afghan lead," he said.

"A withdrawal will damage the reputation of the Dutch as a reliable partner that is willing and able to contribute to important military missions," said Edwin Bakker, a senior research fellow at the Clingendael Institute in The Hague.

[\quote]

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/100220/world/international_us_dutch_government_afghanistan

I think the Dutch are right to withdraw and NATO has no right to interfere. Problem is the situation has deteriorated there so badly it's difficult to justify a pull out at this time, because of the impact of the mission. This could affect Canada's decision to withdraw in 2011. Canada will not be seen as a "reliable partner" as well, and you know what that means... $$$

We are locked in a dispute that has little real meaning for Canadian people. And Harper et al knows it and so wants to do the right thing, but I'll be surprised if they actually do it. For one thing it's an admission that there was no point in the mission, if we leave before the "job is done". It will never be the western utopia we seem to wish for. There will never be a "Hedonism II" resort on the shores of Hamun-e Helmand.

I winder if that will happen Canada!!

[Oleg Bach]

IT would be nice to see all those Dutch hetrophags along with their dope dens and poor woman that the gov forces into prostitution all slide into the damned sea..what a bunch of liberal rot! Maybe the aborting death with dignity crowd could dissolve themselves perminently to top of the cake..the Dutch are a screw up and to think we Canadians liberated the jerks 60 years ago.

[nicky10013]

it'll be more interesting if he can be PM from a prison cell

Is he being charged? If so, why?

[Natchuck]

it has more personal freedoms and more democratic than Canada actually...

At least we don't(yet) imprison people for speaking the (non-PC) truth.

[wyly]

At least we don't(yet) imprison people for speaking the (non-PC) truth.

if "your" truth violates Section 318 of the Criminal Code of Canada that can land you 5 years in prison, conviction on Section 319 can get you 2 years in the cooler...

[Smallc]

if "your" truth violates Section 318 of the Criminal Code of Canada that can land you 5 years in prison, conviction on Section 319 can get you 2 years in the cooler...

If it's the truth, it doesn't violate the law. Even if it isn't the truth, depending on your intent, it still may not violate the law.

[joshee]

IT would be nice to see all those Dutch hetrophags along with their dope dens and poor woman that the gov forces into prostitution all slide into the damned sea..what a bunch of liberal rot! Maybe the aborting death with dignity crowd could dissolve themselves perminently to top of the cake..the Dutch are a screw up and to think we Canadians liberated the jerks 60 years ago.

Thanks...how to deal with depression

[bloodyminded]

IT would be nice to see all those Dutch hetrophags along with their dope dens and poor woman that the gov forces into prostitution all slide into the damned sea..what a bunch of liberal rot! Maybe the aborting death with dignity crowd could dissolve themselves perminently to top of the cake..the Dutch are a screw up and to think we Canadians liberated the jerks 60 years ago.

Thanks...how to deal with depression

You mean "thanks" for subjecting ourselves to your reactionary hate? You're welcome.