Skip to comments.
the Netherlands: reaction to arrest of Saddam
Radio Netherlands ^
| December 16 2003
Posted on 12/15/2003 10:33:26 AM PST by knighthawk
The announcement of Saddam Hussein's arrest has been warmly welcomed in Dutch political circles. Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende has sent a congratulatory telegram to US President George W. Bush. New Foreign Minister Ben Bot said the former leader of Iraq should be tried in his own country, arguing that a trial elsewhere, such as the International Court of Justice in The Hague, would send the wrong signal to the Iraqi people.
The parliamentary leader of the Christian Democrats described the arrest as the best news this year. His Conservative opposite number called on the international community to work together and help with Iraq's recovery now that the former dictator has finally been caught. However, he was pessimistic about the likelihood of the security situation in Iraq improving as a result of the capture. He said the Dutch troops stationed in southern Iraq should remain vigilant. A Labour member of parliament backed that position, saying that the security measures taken to protect the Dutch soldiers must be maintained.
TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: dutch; iraq; netherland; netherlands; saddamhussein; thenetherlands; viceisclosed; worldopinion
To: MizSterious; rebdov; Nix 2; green lantern; BeOSUser; Brad's Gramma; dreadme; Turk2; keri; ...
Ping
2
posted on
12/15/2003 10:33:53 AM PST
by
knighthawk
(And for the name of peace, we will prevail)
To: knighthawk
I have to wonder - so much was made of the (to my eyes) rather quaint notion that the reconstruction contracts squabble had an effect on the EU constitutional bargaining - do you think this will effect the influence of the various countries within the negotiations? Are the hands of the Netherlands, Great Britain, Spain, and Poland strengthened? Or was it all just a silly idea to begin with?
To: Billthedrill
I think that France and Germany can have the edge because of the debt Iraq has to them. If they ease that debt, they will have the advantage again.
4
posted on
12/15/2003 10:44:17 AM PST
by
knighthawk
(And for the name of peace, we will prevail)
To: knighthawk
Smells like civic boosterism to me (and I should know). These folks want the money that would flow into their country from news services, lawyers, etc. etc. during a lengthy trial. It would be "Camp O.J. writ large.
5
posted on
12/15/2003 10:59:27 AM PST
by
BenLurkin
(Socialism is Slavery)
To: knighthawk
Saddam will be tried on many counts of many crimes, including the misappropriation and squandering of the wealth of the Iraqi people. The debts he ran up with France, Germany and Russia, along with any accrued interest, amount to theft. France, Germany and Russia should be indicted as co-defendants in this criminal conspiracy.
6
posted on
12/15/2003 4:08:24 PM PST
by
Bonaparte
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson