Posted on 05/12/2004 2:04:35 PM PDT by knighthawk
This week's killing of a Dutch soldier in Iraq will not automatically lead to the pullout of the 1260-strong Dutch contingent stationed there. Such a move would send the wrong signal, is the view of the Lower House of Parliament, backed by nearly half the Dutch population.
Nonetheless, cabinet plans for extending the Netherlands mission in southern Iraq have becoming increasingly doubtful.
In recent weeks, the Hague government has steered towards a six-month extension of the Dutch contribution to the SFIR stabilisation force in Iraq. Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, Defence Minister Henk Kamp and Foreign Minister Ben Bot have all spoken out in favour of renewing the mandate. They say they deeply regret the killing of the 36-year-old sergeant but feel there are sound reasons to stay in Iraq.
In spite of recent problems, the Dutch cabinet still regards the presence of international forces as key to the Iraq reconstruction effort. By working closely with well-meaning Iraqis, the Hague government hoped Dutch troops could contribute to the establishment of a democratic system and the restoration of (international) law and order.
Reasons for going to war
That Hague scenario has taken a battering in recent months after the main US arguments for invading Iraq were called into question one by one: no evidence has emerged to support claims of Saddam Hussein's links with Osama bin Laden or his involvement in the September 11 terrorist attacks, and weapons of mass destruction were never found.
What remained was the drive to end the Iraqi people's suffering under a brutal dictatorship and restore their fundamental human rights. But now photographs of US troops abusing Iraqi troops have put paid to that last remaining justification.
Still, the Netherlands is finding itself under tremendous pressure to keep its forces in Iraq. Given the recent pullout of Spanish and other Coalition forces, Washington is very keen to keep the Dutch aboard.
Conditions for staying on
On the domestic front, the entire leftwing opposition opposes the mission's extension and even government party Democrats 66 has expressed serious reservations. The conservative VVD is the only party in the three-way cabinet that remains staunchly in favour. Pulling out now would be tantamount to yielding to terror, the VVD argues.
All political parties have made a longer stay conditional on a substantial handover of power by the US to the United Nations and an Iraqi transitional government come 30 June. In addition, they are also calling for a new UN-resolution giving greater legitimacy to the international troop presence. The chances of this happening are set to grow amid growing international pressure on Washington to accept such a resolution. On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Ben Bot urged US Secretary of State Colin Powell to support a greater UN role in Iraq.
Military considerations
Defence Minister Kamp has other priorities. In a first response after Monday's deadly attack, he said his main concern was whether the Dutch troops on the ground would be able to continue doing what they're sent out to do: restoring security, training Iraqi police officers and lending assistance to the authorities of the southern al-Muthanna province.
Within this context, Prime Minister Balkenende told reporters he received a letter from the provincial authorities expressing their dismay over the killing and asking the Dutch to extend their presence.
The cabinet is likely to table a proposal in parliament calling for an extension of the Iraq mission if it believes Dutch troops can carry on in Iraq without irresponsibly large risks. It will do so, even if only the narrowest parliamentary majority supports it.
This would breach the long-held Dutch political custom to send out troops to dangerous missions abroad only if there's wide parliamentary approval. But under the Dutch constitution, only a majority is required, Mr Kamp has pointed out.
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