Netherlands to Review Iraq Participation (After one of their soldiers was killed)

Yahooo via AP ^ | 5/11/04

[areafiftyone]

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - The Netherlands is reviewing participation in the U.S.-led stabilization force in Iraq (news - web sites) after a Dutch soldier was killed in a grenade attack, the prime minister said Tuesday.

Jan Peter Balkenende said the death of the soldier Monday, the first casualty among the 1,300-strong Dutch contingent in southern Iraq, was not by itself a reason to leave the country.

"Reconstruction will go on, with all the sorrow of today. The forces of terrorism will not win," Balkenende said, speaking on national television.

But the Dutch will weigh their future deployment based on an expanded role for the United Nations (news - web sites), and he said a new U.N. Security Council resolution regarding the occupation forces would be "desirable."

"When we talk about extending the stay of our troops in Iraq, we will examine the involvement of the United Nations. A resolution would lend greater legitimacy to foreign troops," he said.

The Defense Ministry said assailants on a scooter hurled a grenade at four Dutch soldiers patrolling a bridge over the Euphrates in the city of Samawah Monday night. Two were injured and taken to a field hospital where one later died.

Balkenende said the arrest of two suspects in the attack by Iraqi police showed that the majority of local Iraqis supported the presence of Dutch troops.

Meanwhile, members of Balkenende's own conservative coalition questioned whether the Dutch troops should remain after the troops' mandate expires June 30.

Boris Dittrich, leader of the small centrist D-66 party, told the national news service NOS that "it looks somber for our continued participation in Iraq."

Dittrich said his party's support for extending the Dutch mission depended on whether the United States "handed over more power" to Iraqis than they are currently planning, and a greater role for the United Nations.

He gave no specific requirements.

Balkenende, who cut a vacation short after the soldier was killed, was to meet with his cabinet Tuesday to discuss the extension.

[dfwgator]

Just how many US and British soldiers were killed liberating the Netherlands in WW II?

[G.Mason]

(Balkenende) ... A resolution [UN] would lend greater legitimacy to foreign troops," he said."

Hell, by the time that gets enforced we'll all be dead from the Sun imploding, but then the Dutch know that.

Take your 1300 wooden shoe boys home and let them pick Tulips. This is a mans job.

[AntiGuv]

You'd think the Iraqi insurgents would've already popped off one of the Thais, or at least shot some bullets in their general direction. Thailand's prime minister already said they're gonna turn tail at the slightest hint of attack..