The coalition partners on Wednesday rejected a call by the main opposition liberal VVD party that any extension of the Dutch mission in Afghanistan should be paid for from the aid budget.

The VVD says its support for an extension past August 2008 was dependent on more cash and a third country getting involved. The party believes up to €400m extra is needed.
On Wednesday VVD MP Arend Jan Boekestijn told ANP news service that the Netherlands currently gives 0.82% of its gross national product to the developing world. This is more than the 0.7% given by other countries and could therefore easily be reduced, he said.
Meanwhile ANP also reports today that Norwegian media have confirmed that Norway has been approached by the Dutch government as possible partners in Uruzgan and is considering the request.
A Dutch foreign ministry spokesman would say only that the cabinet is currently studying whether and in which form a possible extension of its mission in Afghanistan could take place. Talks with a number of NATO partners were taking place, he added