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DUTCH Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende arrived in Iraq today on a surprise visit to Dutch troops stationed there, the Netherlands Government Information Service (RVD) told AFP. "He has arrived and will pay a visit to the soldiers," RVD spokesman Gerard van der Wulp said. The visit was not announced earlier for security reasons. The Dutch have 1200 troops in southern Iraq as part of the US-led multinational force. The snap visit is intended to boost morale among Dutch troops. "We want to show the soldiers that we are thinking of them and that the Netherlands feels their work in...

Soldiers 'have clear rules of engagement' 6 January 2004 AMSTERDAM — Despite the shooting death of a suspected Iraqi looter, Defence Minister Henk Kamp said on Tuesday the orders of violent engagement for Dutch marines in Iraq will remain unchanged. The minister said the rules under which troops may use violence are completely clear and that the shooting incident was no reason to modify them. Kamp said the orders adequately equipped the soldiers to carry out their tasks. Furthermore, the minister said in a letter to the Lower House of Parliament, the Tweede Kamer, that he intends to maintain...

Text of report by Iraqi Shi'i group's Iran-based radio station Voice of the Mujahidin on 23 November An Iraqi police officer has revealed that the Iraqi police arrested a person suspected to be an Al-Qa'idah member in the city of Al-Samawah, where he was planning to detonate a bomb against Dutch forces stationed in the area. This is the first arrest of a person suspected to be a member of Al-Qa'idah in Al-Samawah, where a Japanese military team is currently present Source: Voice of the Mujahidin, in Arabic 0732 gmt 23 Nov 03

The Dutch government has decided to send 1100 troops to Iraq to join the international stabilisation force. It believes it is important to contribute to the security, stability and reconstruction of Iraq. Defence Minister Henk Kamp characterised the risks as acceptable. The Dutch troops will be lightly armed and will come under British command. The British army has agreed to have a combat battalion ready to assist the Dutch troops if they get into difficulties.