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'Dutch presence in Afghanistan will continue'Friday 04 December 2009 The people of Afghanistan will need international support for many years to come, said defence minister Eimert van Middlekoop during the presentation of medals to 200 soldiers who have taken part in recent international peace-keeping missions. Military and civil organisations will have to help Afghanistan to stand on its own two feet so that it can gradually handle its own security and government, said the minister. Holland too will remain involved with Afghanistan for many years, certainly in terms of civil and development projects, said Van Middelkoop. Among those receiving medals on Friday was major general Mart de Kruif who was responsible for 40,000 troops from 16 countries in southern Afghanistan until handing over command to the British general Nick Carter on November 1. Meanwhile the heated public discussion about whether Dutch troops will stay on in the southern Afghanistan province of Uruzgan after their current mandate expires in August next year continues. ‘Sick to death’ In the opening article on the front page of Friday’s Volkskrant, Van Middelkoop is quoted as saying that he is ‘sick to death’ of the comments made by his colleagues in the media over the issue. US pressure on the Netherlands to extend its mission in Uruzgan has split the government and led to increasing irritation between the coalition parties. The Christian Democrats are positive about the possibility of extending the military mission while Labour is firmly against it under any circumstances says the paper. The smallest coalition partner, Van Middlekoop’s ChristenUnie party, is hesitant. The minister is furious that ministers have broken their agreement not to comment on the issue in public. He is to bring the matter up during Friday's cabinet meeting. Van Middelkoop said the cabinet would make a statement when it was ready to do so and that a carefully-made decision was more important than a hasty one, reported the Volkskrant. © DutchNews.nl Get the DutchNews.nl newsletter in your mailbox: Click here to subscribe
Let Holland not forget that the US is not only fighting for it security but that of the whole civilized world. By Boniface | December 4, 2009 8:25 PM It's about time the stupid governments made their stupid minds up! We are all sick of this! We all know what the Taliban stands for and oppose them! Best solution is: Send all we've got and finish this idiot war asap!! The longer it continues, the more it costs, and a few A-holes are laughing all the way to the bank!!!) By stevie | December 4, 2009 9:00 PM Please support your ally, the USA. You asked us to vote for Obama. He made it clear to everyone before the election the he would escalate Afghanistan. Don't abandon Obama, please. By Mark | December 5, 2009 1:09 AM I think at is a good idea to stand behind the U.S.A. By Albert Hoogendoorn | December 6, 2009 11:57 PM This is brilliant; thank you to the brave Allied soldiers of NATO! Islamic terrorists, led by Al-Qaeda and one of its most barbaric footsoldiers, the Talebans, need to be defeated, globally! Do not ever forget that the nuclear weapon in Pakistan is within an arm's reach of these criminals. These terrorists are plain sadist criminals, who should not be defended by anyone, who are now exploiting God and religion i.e/ culture, besides extreme violence, to justify their "Islamic Imperialism", globally, from East to West! By Katharina Sri (former: Noor Aza Othman) | December 7, 2009 9:50 AM USA should look at it´s own backyard and fix their own country. The USA waste billions of dollars each month on a war that should never have started in the first place, while millions of Americans are without jobs, living in the streets and have no medical insurance. By sandra | December 8, 2009 8:59 AM yes..but let's not forget who fed and trained..taliban and osama...i think it was the americans against soviets...but i guess that were other times?? right? By kos | December 8, 2009 9:35 AM Place your comments: |
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Afghanistan needs humanitarian help,help to build up the infrastructure,empowerment of women and this should be the focus of the International Community as well as that of the Netherlands.
Of course honest and fare role of the Netherlands to bring all the parties on the table for dialogue (the Mujahideens,the Taliban's and all other Tribal War Lords).We have to be realistic that keeping all these players in the Afghanistan Society out of dialogue means 'no peace now or in future'.
Keeping our Armed Forces in Afghanistan after the end of 2010 would bring us in to a situation like 'the Americans in VietNam'(opponent of my opinion should consult the war veterans of the united states to know in what conditions they are even after almost 40 years).
Our minister for International Cooperation Mr.Bert Koenders efforts and intentions are the most important factor which might determine the future of Afghanistan.The Dutch government,the parliament should give him a 'free hand' and the financial means if we really want to make Afghanistan a developed democratic country and a country free of violancce.Mr.Bert Koenders have the passion,capability and vision and supporting his ideas would even help the image of our country around the globe!
By Khalid Ahmed Chaudry | December 4, 2009 3:44 PM