DutchNews.nl - Ministers locked in talks over Afghanistan

Ministers were still locked in talks in an effort to breach the gap between the ruling Christian Democrats and Labour over the Dutch mission in Afghanistan by mid afternoon on Friday.

But, commentators say there are signs that a decision on whether or not to stay in Afghanistan may be delayed until next week.

Junior defence minister Jack de Vries told reporters he expected the decision to be taken next week. The cabinet had until March 1 to decide, he pointed out.

In the morning ministers met their own advisors before moving to the cabinet rooms in an effort to iron out the differences between Labour leader Wouter Bos and prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende.

What began as a short debate over the Dutch position on Afghanistan on Thursday evening turned into an eight hour battle, as opposition MPs tore into ministers over their refusal to take decisions and the damage being done to the reputation of the Netherlands abroad.

Several MPs openly called deputy prime minister Wouter Bos a liar and accused him of using Afghanistan as a vote winner for the local elections.

Bos has denied knowing Nato had made a formal request to the Netherlands to stay in Afghanistan for another year, this time primarily to train local forces.

But the Christian Democrats, led by Balkenende, are keeping all their options open, and have pledged to take a decision by March 1.

The Telegraaf writes that the divisions between ministers was 'painfully obvious'. Balkenende accused Bos of being premature in stating he wants a decision today. Bos refused to take back his words. 'This was not premature,' he said.

Most newspapers expect the cabinet to fall later today. 'Balkenende did all he could to keep his cabinet going for at least another 24 hours,' said the Volkskrant.

Today's cabinet meeting is officially the last before March 1 because of the winter break. But ministers can decide to have an extra meeting next week.

Reputation abroad? Hmm, every tourist I know either know us for drugs, prostitution, house music djs, and 17th century art. I think we are overstating our importance to the world for in actuality we are not very important. Hypocritical government, faux-modesty self-entitled people,intolerant tolerance and a reputation for elitism that we stole from the Brits :)

By Daan | February 19, 2010 3:28 PM

"tore into ministers over their refusal to take decisions and the damage being done to the reputation of the Netherlands abroad."

No mention, of course, of the Afghan civilians killed, just concerned about their friggin' "reputations."

By Jay Vos | February 19, 2010 5:27 PM

They're gone. Who's next? A Dutch-speaking contingent from Disney World, courtesy of discerning voters?

By Michael Dawkes | February 20, 2010 5:07 AM