DutchNews.nl - Emergency debate on Afghanistan today

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Emergency debate on Afghanistan today

Thursday 18 February 2010

Prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende and deputy premier Wouter Bos will debate the future of the Dutch mission in Afghanistan in parliament this afternoon, as speculation grows that the cabinet is about to collapse.

The debate was called by Socialist Party leader Agnes Kant, who said she wanted to get to the bottom of the mixed messages being sent out by ministers.

Labour party leader Wouter Bos said on Wednesday he will categorically not support any extension to the Dutch mission in Afghanistan, despite the formal request by Nato. And he wants minister to say a final no to Nato after Friday's cabinet meeting.

But Balkenende wants Dutch soldiers to stay on past August to train local forces. 'All options are open,' the Christian Democratic party leader said.

Opposition

'This infighting among ministers has to stop now,' Kant said.

Opposition MPs are convinced the cabinet is poised to collapse. Afghanistan is the second difficult issue to divide Balkenende and Bos in recent weeks.

VVD leader Mark Rutte said the cabinet's recent performance has been embarrassing. 'There are 2,000 Dutch men and women sitting there watching this floundering around,' he told news agency ANP.

The debate is due to begin at 16.15 and can be followed live on Nos tv

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Labour says final no to Afghanistan

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Readers' comments

well the troops are hardly waiting around doing nothing Mr Rutte, they're finishing their original mission.

But yes, we need clarity. The UN want the Dutch to stay on, the coalition deal quite cleary stated that the mission would not be extended. JP Balkenende should perhaps just once stick to the promises he made to the nation......

oh no, maybe not. He and this entire government are u-turn experts

By John | February 18, 2010 3:26 PM

Bos said "no" soldiers after August. Watch BOS wiggle into a compromise which allows 'civilian' advisors.

By bobsocks | February 18, 2010 5:31 PM

These "power men" always selling people with their big mouths. It should be done as George Carlin once said...Put them in a ring, gloves off and let them beat the crap out of each other, winner takes all. In this case they would probable knock each other out cold.

By AW | February 19, 2010 9:17 AM

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