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Balkenende is the sole member of this Cabinet who was involved in the decision to give poltical support for the U.S. and British attack on Iraq in March 2003. A few hours after receiving the Iraq Report from the Committee chairman Davids, Balkenende made his position as Prime Minister impossible by criticising the conclusions. After a very long delay to start a review and investigation of the Dutch participation in the planning and preparation of the Iraq War, PM Balkenende refused an investigation by Parliament.

Under great pressure, he himself appointed this Iraq commission to provide an impartial review. It is not wise to take this path of attack, the commission has performed an excellent task and gives support to the many objections vented throughout the years. The present coalition partner, the Labour Party (PvdA), was in the opposition in the fall of 2002 and opposed the War. In Februari 2003 they joined a new Cabinet under leadership of Balkenende and made a compromise to offer only political support, based on knowledge released by the previous administration with Jaap de Hoop Schepper as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

With Balkenende's line of attack yesterday, the Labour Party became furious and went into the opposition. Would the PvdA members in Parliament join the opposition parties in any major vote, then Balkenende and his Cabinet will fall.

Balkenende should have accepted some responsibility, he refused to acknowledge making any mistakes or misjudgements. Must have been impressed by George Bush.

Damage control, do's and don'ts

"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."

If PvdA fails to grow a spine, I fear the one to benefit won't be on the Left, but at the other end: Wilders.

Any recent polls out? (Also on the commission report.)

_{*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.}