the Netherlands: reaction to arrest of Saddam

Radio Netherlands ^ | December 16 2003

[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.

[knighthawk]

Ping

[Billthedrill]

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?

[knighthawk]

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.

[BenLurkin]

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.

[Bonaparte]

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.