DutchNews.nl - Ministers under heavy fire over Uruzgan

What began as a short debate over the Dutch position on Afghanistan on Thursday 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 Labour leader and 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. And he insists the cabinet says no to the new mission at today's cabinet meeting.

But the Christian Democrats, led by prime minister Jan Peter 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.

This whole thing is getting out of hand. Calling one another a liar and so on! The Netherlands politicians are acting more and more like how the American Republicans and Democrats are acting now, just like children fighting over he-said-she-said childish games . Behave yourselves and stop acting like children! Stop this, for the sake of this beautiful country, don´t let this whole Nato Afghanistan thing split this country up. Put your country and citizens first before any outside country or Nato! USA will still respect and love the Netherlands no matter what! There are many more Americans that will respect you for pulling out of Afghanistan then not. Just like Holland, USA is split on the war too, but more Àmericans then not want out of war all together, so please stop this bikkering and show the USA a good example and let your no´s be no´s and yes be yes, without caring what others outside of your country think. Dutch citizens first. That is the only thing that should matter.

By sandrav | February 19, 2010 8:50 AM