European Tribune - Community, Politics & Progress.

The Dutch role in Iraq

by Nomad
Tue Jan 12th, 2010 at 06:07:46 AM EST

After chipping away for nearly a year, the committee Davids presented this morning in The Hague the results of the committee´s investigation to the Dutch justification early 2003 (then led by the first Balkenende government) to support the US-led war to Iraq.

After years of subterfuge and blocking exactly an investigation of this calibre, Balkenende was left without choice for initiating an investigation after damning revelations early 2009, among others that the Dutch role in the Iraq war had aided the promotion of Jaap de Hoop Scheffer as topdog for NATO. At the time in 2003, De Hoop Scheffer was Dutch minister of foreign affairs and was of the same party alliance as Balkenende – CDA (Christian Democrats, centre-right).

There was a palpable tension in The Hague yesterday in preparation of the presentation. Nothing of the committee’s report had been leaked or made public in advance – a rare event in the political world of The Hague.

The first readings of the report are now being dissected. It has all the bearings that the report makes little amends, and delivers powerful and damning conclusions. See for these Oui’s current diary which is delving more extensively into this.

Political fireworks may be in the works. A pdf of the findings, including summary and conclusions in English, can be downloaded here.

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The Dutch role in Iraq | 27 comments (27 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Commentary (4.00 / 4)

First political reactions are trickling in.

PvdA (Labour) Senator De Vries: "serious"
(PvdA is current coalition partner of the CDA)

GroenLinks (GreenLeft) party leader Halsema: "Shocking"

D66 party leader Pechtold: "a sense of tunnel vision" [of the Balkenende government]

by Nomad on Tue Jan 12th, 2010 at 07:37:12 AM EST

Balkenende Makes Amends (4.00 / 3)

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Minister President Balkenende and Vice-premier Bos (PvdA) have been meeting most of the day to make amends and come with a single opinion on the conclusions of the Davids Iraq Commission Report. Balkenende has accepted the most important issue: the U.N. mandate was insufficient to take military action against the regime of Saddam Hussain. The International Law has been laid down by the Commission with legal heavyweights. This is a 180 degree turn-around to his response yesterday afternoon in a press conference. His apparent attack of major conclusions of the Report angered the members of parliament of the Labor Party. The coalition remains united and will look forward to the coming debate in Parliament with Balkenende and Cabinet members. A crisis has been ~~avoided~~ postponed.

Iraq war was illegal, Dutch panel rules

by Oui on Wed Jan 13th, 2010 at 06:22:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

CDA Politics in The Netherlands (4.00 / 5)

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9/11 Changed Political Landscape and Led to Upheaval

In September 2001, the CDA political leadership changed hands from an experienced politician Jaap de Hoop Scheffer to a young and inexperienced assistant Jan Peter Balkenende. The party was sagging to a small minority in the polls, Balkenende had been a professor in Amsterdam and had research leadership of the CDA party. In this period came the attacks on America of 9/11. The political atmosphere changed for the worse with a novice in The Haque running for some seats in Dutch parliament: Pim Fortuyn. His party made great headway in local elections in Rotterdam by gaining a majority vote of 37%. The political assassination on May 6, 2002 of Pim Fortuyn shook the nation on its foundation. The ruling Labor party in the purple coalition could not provide the answers. The voters returned in great numbers to the old party CDA and swept Balkenende in a leadership position to form a new coalition government.

Having become the 2nd largest party, Pim Fortuyn's inexperienced members chosen to parliament were invited to join and deliver new ministers. This was a recept for many political headaches and gave Balkenende more than he could handle. It's logical that Balkenende left the Foreign Affairs to his old party leader Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. JdHS was known to be more to the party right, had made a poor showing in Screbenica days after the massacre to be seen partying with the Royal Prince Alexander in Bosnia with the Dutch troops. I'm absolutely very disappointed in the policy leadership in regards to Iraq, the involvement of the Dutch government with George Bush and the likes. Furthermore, he did a terrible job as Secretary-General of NATO and the War in Afghanistan.

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

by Oui on Tue Jan 12th, 2010 at 08:00:43 AM EST

Re: CDA Politics in The Netherlands (none / 1)

Seeing that JdHS gets all the bad rap, the media must be hunting for him. Any reactions from him yet?

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.

by DoDo on Tue Jan 12th, 2010 at 02:40:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

You Mean The Professor? (4.00 / 4)

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Leiden University - sector International Law in The Hague - has announced Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer to be lecturer for studies of peace, law and security. JdHS has been representative of OSCE in the period of his tenure as Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Sector of Law was named after one of his predecessors Prof. Dr. P.H. Kooijmans.

To answer your question: no, he will not be involved in the present day political debate. I always considered JdHS as the bad architect of Iraq policy. He was on friendly terms with Condoleeza Rice and the Bush family. The present Minister of Foreign Affairs will take responsibility (even resignation) for past events. Usually the number of years gone by limits his political liability.

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

by Oui on Tue Jan 12th, 2010 at 05:02:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

No Evidence Military Participation for Invasion (4.00 / 2)

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The Dutch military became involved after the United Nations agreed to be part of the relief effort and reconstruction in Iraq. Prior military participation by Special Forces for reconnaissance, the Navy including a submarine, would have been the end of the ruling coalition with PM Balkenende. This is not the case, although there will be plenty of firework from opposition parties like D'66 and GreenLeft with Femke Halsema. The Liberal Party VVD is in the political spectrum to the right and always debated in support of a military effort in Iraq.

Main theme will be the legality of the war without the second resolution of the U.N. Security Council and a number of decisions made by the Dutch cabinet in reference to the Constitution, article 100. Placing Patriot missiles in Turkey on the Northern border, sending a battleship Van Nes to guard U.S. commercial vessels on its journey in the Iraq War build-up and the participation of a Walrus submarine. Participation of NATO based on its article 5 commitment.

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

by Oui on Tue Jan 12th, 2010 at 08:29:47 AM EST

Re: The Dutch role in Iraq (none / 0)

It there anything especially surprising for ET readers? The stuff in the EN version of the conclusions just confirmed what I'd expect.

by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Tue Jan 12th, 2010 at 08:40:31 AM EST

Re: The Dutch role in Iraq (none / 1)

Maybe that such a result came out of an investigation called for by the PM at the time. Then again, his hand may have been forced by his current coalition partner, and it seems the spin is to deflect blame to the then foreign minister. (And be loud about lack of evidence for participation in the initial invasion.)

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.

by DoDo on Tue Jan 12th, 2010 at 09:26:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Dutch role in Iraq (4.00 / 2)

Oh, I don't mean to be dismissive, I'm just want to know what I should be looking at! Invasion illegal, shocking. Intelligence services ignored in favour of UK/UK spin, shocking, and so on.

by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Tue Jan 12th, 2010 at 09:37:41 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Dutch role in Iraq (none / 0)

Hm? I didn't mean to counter dismissiveness, in fact my look for the domestic political dimension can be seen as cynical... also, I am curious what Oui thinks of Balkenende's personal responsibility, given his earlier expressed positive views of him.

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.

by DoDo on Tue Jan 12th, 2010 at 09:53:26 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Preoccupied (4.00 / 4)

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Jan Peter Balkenende may have had plenty of political sores, when it is a matter of war (life and death), he is wholly responsible as are all members of his Cabinet. Does Dutch parliament find Jaap de Hoop Scheffer at fault for withholding information leading up to the bombing and invasion of Iraq? Yes, I consider Balkenende equally responsible and should go. The choice between an illegal war (100,000 Iraqis killed) and the political death of a Prime Minister isn't too difficult IMHO.

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

by Oui on Tue Jan 12th, 2010 at 10:27:17 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Preoccupied (4.00 / 3)

Would this impending report have been one of the reasons Balkenende didn't get the President of the European Council job?

notes from no w here

by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot dotty communists) on Tue Jan 12th, 2010 at 11:53:32 AM EST
[ Parent ]

BalkenENDED (4.00 / 4)

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Yep, for both ...

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

by Oui on Tue Jan 12th, 2010 at 12:03:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Not really (4.00 / 3)

It's almost entirely Butler redux, if my memory serves me right of that investigation, including slobbering poodlehood to the USA.

What strikes me as relatively embarrassing is that the two Dutch secret services did in fact take the "sexed up" reports from their sister-organisations MI5 and the CIA with a grain of salt - and the Dutch reports were then consistently ignored by their own government, who preferred the Anglo-version a lot more.

A lot of this can be put on De Hoop Scheffer, though, and less on Balkenende - who comes off as incompetent, at best.

by Nomad on Tue Jan 12th, 2010 at 09:33:51 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Not really (none / 0)

Do you mean that De Hoop Scheffer can be faulted for consciously bending the intelligence, while Balkenede went along just out of stupidity? I'm not sure which is more damning for a politician.

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.

by DoDo on Tue Jan 12th, 2010 at 09:55:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Balkenende (4.00 / 5)

In early 2003, it looks like he had his hands full. He was inexperienced as prime-minister, already caretaker of his imploded first government (the disastrous 80-something days with the Pim Fortuyn party LPF) and Balkenende was heavily involved with the formation of the successor government at the time. After I wrote the above, I saw that similar argumentation also have been noted by the committee.

But when the question is the invasion of a foreign country, I find the absence of his involvement rather dubious.

De Hoop Scheffer, plus his Atlantacist staff at the department of Foreign Affairs, are sketched as the main architects of the policy of the Dutch government, without prominent involvement of other cabinet members. Balkenende gave De Hoop Scheffer free rein. When he set out the course, everyone fell in line behind him without much questioning, and facts were bend to fit the picture - similar as to what happened in the USA and UK.

What still might be explosive is to what regard Balkenende mis-informed Parliament.

by Nomad on Tue Jan 12th, 2010 at 10:20:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]

British White Wash Reports (4.00 / 3)

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British investigations on sexing up intelligence, WMDs an the Iraq War have been a waste of time. The quilty parties were relieved and the journalist, scientist or MP came under attack. In my estimate, this [excellent] report is to the point, factual, makes no political statements and was kept secret till 10 AM this morning. Quite a feat. The Commission clearly focused on the legality of the Iraq War, the U.N. Security Council resolutions and the Goldsmith Legal advice to Tony Blair. The first and foremost conclusion: the invasion of Iraq violates International Law. The goal to establish a democratic, stable and peaceful nation became in reality a nightmare and failure. Last year nearly 5,000 people died in Iraqi violence.

Dutch military intelligence was not solely dependent on sharing intelligence with the major powers, the largest Western nations. The MIVD used open sources to establish facts or likelyhood of WMDs in Iraq. They were more accurate than the bloody British, Americans, French and Italians who used intelligence for political purpose and forged documents. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer based decisions on political matters of the Atlantic alliance and disavowed the findings of his own MIVD. Just in office, it took him 45 minutes in a brain storm session (August 2002) with his top civil servants to write a policy The Netherlands would follow the U.S. and U.K., if needed also in a war because of WMDs.

When the Dutch Forces participated in the U.N. Iraq mission, they refused intelligence of the British and Americans for fear of being set up for an Iraqi ambush. The Dutch wanted to pacify, the Americans wanted to get the Dutch involved in battle and revenge killings. The Dutch province was the first to be handed over to Iraqi Army units.

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

by Oui on Tue Jan 12th, 2010 at 10:17:42 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Dutch role in Iraq (4.00 / 2)

Definitely gratifying, if not too surprising. It is especially gratifying to see how CDA support for foreign adventurism benefited them domestically and in NATO, even without a large commitment of troops. Same playbook as the USA, different specific application.

As the Dutch said while fighting the Spanish: "It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."

by ARGeezer (ARGeezer at eurotrib.com) on Tue Jan 12th, 2010 at 11:37:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Dumb question but can someone link to the (4.00 / 2)

Socialist Party response? y'know...third biggest party in Nederland?

Just curious.

In Nederlands is ok, just a link...having a hard time finding.

Mais c'est un scandâââle!!

by redstar on Tue Jan 12th, 2010 at 05:43:23 PM EST

No problem, found it. (4.00 / 2)

Thanks for giving the "left" viewpoint guys!

Note to Poemless...those are some really hot hot red lips in Ms Kant.

Nothing like that to make a statement.

Mais c'est un scandâââle!!

by redstar on Tue Jan 12th, 2010 at 06:06:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Shaken (4.00 / 2)

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For a moment I thought you referred to the Dutch Labor Party with 45 seats in Parliament (150 members) reduced to 23 seats in 2002 election (murder of Pim Fortuyn). Presently, the party of Wouter Bos (33 seats) is struggling in the polls at a level of approx. 19 seats. Ad Melkert succeeded Kok as party leader in 1998 ... the rest is history.

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

by Oui on Tue Jan 12th, 2010 at 10:22:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Indeed. (4.00 / 3)

The "serious" and certainly liberal social Democratic left forgets that it is often more important to convince voters that you represent their interests than it is to convince them that you are competent.

An able civil servant is the stuff which makes good governance, but many of the so-called "serious" folks on the left forget that there also needs to be a purpose, and ably representing constituent interest better than the others is the most important of those purposes, particularly on the left.

I also get a kick out of Ms Kant being described as "German". She sure sounds Dutch to me, she almost makes Dutch sound beautiful...and what's more, far too pretty to fit that label!

Mais c'est un scandâââle!!

by redstar on Wed Jan 13th, 2010 at 04:32:57 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Balkenende responds (4.00 / 6)

In essence: "My, what a fine report you chaps have put together. Jolley good. Of course I take issue with a few of those findings, particularly the ones that are the most damaging to myself, and of course because you are wrong therein, I am therefore right, and I haven't done anything wrong whatsoever."

It is staggeringly arrogant and infuriating. Balkenende is emboyding despicable politics.

In response to Balkenende, the PvdA party (Labour) demands a new statement from Balkenende, and announced that Balkenende did not speak for the current coalition government.

This is heading for a coalition crisis and unless I see this wrong, someone will dramatically lose face. If it's not PvdA, it'll be Balkenende - but that will require a spine from the PvdA, and that's something the PvdA all too often lacks.

by Nomad on Wed Jan 13th, 2010 at 03:40:05 AM EST

Balkenende's Political Fate (4.00 / 4)

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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."

by Oui on Wed Jan 13th, 2010 at 04:52:11 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Balkenende responds (none / 1)

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.)

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.

by DoDo on Wed Jan 13th, 2010 at 02:52:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Voters Have Moved to the Right (4.00 / 3)

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In the 150 seat Parliament (Tweede Kamer), the present coalition has an 80 seat representation, according to a weekly poll this has dropped to a minority of 59 seats, a loss of 21. The PVV party of Geert Wilders would be a winner, climbing from 9 to 22 seats.

Today's opinion poll, should Balkenende meet the demands of Labor coalition party - 83% YES;
Should the Labor Party (PvdA) quit the Cabinet if Balkenende holds his line of reasoning - 66% YES.

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

by Oui on Wed Jan 13th, 2010 at 07:44:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Prof. Philippe Sands: "Commendable" (4.00 / 2)

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Professor Philippe Sands is a leading international lawyer. In an interview he spoke with respect over the distinguished legal panel of the Dutch Iraq Commission. The Iraq War has no legal base was a important statement and conclusion witl all clarity and lack of ambiquity. This must have an impact across the channel in the Chilcot Inquiry, which has no member as legal expert. The Dutch panel had several members of the legal profession. Philippe Sands was heard behind closed doors by the Commission in The Netherlands last September 2009.

Blair Iraq war admission sparks fresh outrage

Blair is due to give evidence to the inquiry into the war, led by former civil servant John Chilcot, early next year, and the commentator in the Sunday Telegraph said the investigation's focus must now change.

"Mr Blair's game-changing admission gives them a licence to be tougher and more prosecutorial," he wrote, a call echoed by campaigners at Stop the War Coalition, who urged Chilcot's inquiry to recommend legal action against Blair.

Professor Philippe Sands, a leading international lawyer, said he believed Blair's comments had left him open to legal action.

"The fact that the policy was fixed by Tony Blair irrespective of the facts on the ground, and irrespective of the legality, will now expose him more rather than less to legal difficulties," Sands told The Sunday Herald.

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

by Oui on Wed Jan 13th, 2010 at 02:14:21 PM EST

The Dutch role in Iraq | 27 comments (27 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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