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When is a civilian mission a military mission? New row over KunduzTuesday 06 September 2011 A new political row over the police training mission in Afghanistan erupted on Tuesday after defence minister Hans Hillen told magazine Vrij Nederland the mission is primarily a military one. 'I have always said we have to be careful that we do not project our Dutch feelings on the hard reality of a war zone,' Hillen told the magazine. 'MPs can say what they like, that is is a civilian mission, but it is primarily military.' Hillen went on to say he thought it strange that the Kunduz project could not be described as a military mission when most of the participants are soldiers. 'In the Netherlands we only want to see the soft side of such an expedition, because we want to make the world a better place. But live is hard, certainly in Kunduz,' the minister is quoted as saying. New mission Parliament voted narrowly in favour of sending a 545-strong mission to the northern province of Kunduz, including 225 police trainers, last year. The Netherlands pulled out of the Nato military mission to Afghanistan a year ago. The support of the left-wing greens Groenlinks was crucial in winning backing for the mission, which is opposed by the government’s alliance partner, the anti-Islam PVV, and the Labour party. GroenLinks only agreed to support the project if it is non-military in nature. GroenLinks leader Jolande Sap on Tuesday said she would call for a debate on the issue with both Hillen and prime minister Mark Rutte. 'We are beginning to get a bit fed up with Hillen,' she told news agency ANP. 'This is the latest in a string of blunders. If he cannot see the difference between using soldiers for civilian or military ends then his credibility is in doubt,' the party leader said. Labour leader Job Cohen supported calls for a debate with the minister, who is currently on a foreign trip. 'We have always been afraid of this happening and this is why we did not support the mission,' Cohen said. Rutte told MPs later Hillen's words had been a misunderstanding and that he had full confidence in the minister. © DutchNews.nl
The same story repeats itself over and over, endlessly - we are told at some point in history that the people our governments to some far away land, where the 'enemy' is of course, will not really have to fight, etc. Every single time it turns out that they do fight, that they are involved in conflicts. Until the next point in history when the whole cycle of lies and deceit just repeats itself. We westerners smile at each other and try to thing of pretty new shiny things we can buy to distract ourselves from these terrible facts. Over and over again. By Bill | September 7, 2011 6:59 AM
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From the very beginning this mission was for the military only, now with a typical BS guv cover-up & now public blunder/scandal.
Just ask yourself why the guv would send police officers with little or no military experience to a hostile country, suitable only for trained soldiers. Well the answer is blatantly obvious, a young inexperienced guv out to prove itself, failing in all sectors except BS. The charming smiles & PR work have limitations & this news is a good example! (I am x-military.) Please stop wasting money & lives!!!
By The visitor | September 6, 2011 8:20 PM