DutchNews.nl - Iraq report: PM now accepts criticism

Prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende has written to parliament to say the cabinet now accepts that 'a more adequate legal mandate' was necessary for the US and Britain to invade Iraq.

The statement comes just one day after the prime minister responded to a highly critical report on the Dutch involvement in Iraq by saying the legalities of the war were 'a difference of opinion'.

The report, published on Tuesday by a seven-strong panel of experts, stated that UN motions were not an adequate legal basis for the invasion, that parliament had not been fully informed and that 'more nuanced' Dutch intelligence information had been downplayed.

The prime minister's initial response led to sharp divisions within the three-party cabinet. Main coalition party Labour was not part of the government in 2003 and opposed the war. Labour MPs were furious at the statement, which Balkenende claimed was approved by Labour leader Wouter Bos.

The three coalition party leaders spent most of Wednesday in crisis talks to draw up a new response to the report. In Wednesday evening's letter, the prime minister said: 'Based on what we know now, the cabinet accepts that a more adequate legal mandate would have been necessary for such an action.'

Labour's parliamentary leader Mariëtte Hamer said the new statement meant the report had been 'removed from the waste bin'.

But opposition MPs were not so easily appeased. Alexander Pechtold, leader of the Liberal democratic party D66, said he had to ask if Balkenende's initial dismissal of the report was due to 'the arrogance of power' or 'clumsiness'.

Commentators said on Thursday the new statement appeared to have headed off a cabinet crisis.

Before the parliamentary debate on the letter, Balkenende said this was not the right moment for a crisis - referring to the economic problems facing the country.

"Before the parliamentary debate on the letter, Balkenende said this was not the right moment for a crisis - refering to the economic problems facing the country."

Again Balkenende tries to stop any REAL inquiry in the Iraq war and his action or lack thereof.

What is most troubling is that the citizens do nothing to force a new election and remove him from office.

It is embarrassing!

By bobsocks | January 14, 2010 9:09 AM

Legality based on UN permission? The "report" has to be kidding. The UN is a cesspool that dirties all who enter. Most member-states are dictatorships who engage in all kinds of human-rights violations.

The UN cartel should be broken up ASAP,
it's assets seized to re-pay tax dollars sent it's way.

The US and it's international friends have a natural right to attack aggressors. Further, the biggest threat of all--Iran--is building nukes that the world will learn to regret allowing.

By kevin | January 14, 2010 8:05 PM

Now let me see if I have this right. We'll close ranks to to protect JPB because if we don't it will be bad for the country, we have to stick together to work on the economic crisis. Hmm, How noble.
By Exile

By John Pimblett | January 15, 2010 12:45 AM

HAHAHAHAHAHA! 'he had to ask if Balkenende's initial dismissal of the report was due to 'the arrogance of power' or 'clumsiness'.' It doesnt matter. This guys is suppossed to be running a country. I think if i did something like this in my work i might be fired and because of the reason i was fired i wouldnt be eligable for unemployment benefit. And these are rules that he is maintaining and upholding so i hope he does the honourable thing and fecks off out of it. Bloody Christians.

By langer | January 15, 2010 3:38 PM