Posted on 02/17/2003 12:57:23 PM PST by knighthawk
The United States has carried out its first military transports through the Netherlands. Several trains with military equipment and personnel have travelled from Venlo to Rotterdam today. The transports are being guarded by US troops. The Dutch army is also assisting. A total of about 25 trains will travel through the Netherlands in the next few days, carrying US tanks, equipment and personnel.
Early this morning, the outgoing defence minister, conservative Henk Kamp, gave the United States written authorization to carry out transports through Dutch territory, on the way to Turkey and the Gulf region. The Labour party has dropped its objections to the transports. Labour leader Wouter Bos said The Netherlands had little choice but to cooperate. But he does regret the military transports have to cross Dutch territory. Just this past weekend, the parliamentary Labour party announced it would not agree unquestioningly to the American request.
If people want on or off this list, please let me know.
No Blue Flag for Dutch beaches
Dutch coasts are so badly polluted that they will not be allowed to fly the Blue Flag, the international symbol for clean beaches, this summer. The pollution is caused by unfiltered sewerage and other waste liquids, which leak into the sea during heavy rainfall. The sewerage and the filter systems are not enough to deal with the excess water. The sea is so tainted that it is unsuitable for swimming. The tourist industry is concerned about the long-term affect on tourism if the situation is allowed to continue.
Is this true or is it some kind of Greenie Weenie deal?
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