Afghanistan decision hurts Nato: former chief

The Netherlands’ decision not to stay in Afghanistan despite an official request from Nato is damaging to the organisation’s standing and will hurt the Netherlands in the long run, former Nato secretary general Jaap de Hoop Scheffer says in an interview in the NRC.


De Hoop Scheffer said the request sent by new Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen to prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende was worked out in ‘close consultation’ with the Hague.
‘In effect, the Netherlands was a co-writer. And it is quite something if you then, as a cabinet say ‘sorry secretary general, but it’s off’,’ De Hoop Scheffer said. ‘That is an affront. It is damaging to Nato’s standing.’
De Hoop Scheffer said he expected the Netherlands would experience diplomatic disadvantages as a result of the pull out. A number of diplomatic sources have made similar remarks.

Withdrawal

The Netherlands will probably begin pulling out its 1,600 soldiers and support staff in August as planned. Military chiefs are also opposed to the withdrawal.
The cabinet fell at the weekend after Labour ministers said they would not support a decision to stay.
The departure of the Dutch forces is a boost for the Taliban, De Hoop Scheffer told the paper. Yesterday, the NRC published an interview with a Taliban spokesman welcoming the Dutch withdrawal.

For the New York Times editorial on the Dutch withdrawal, click here

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