5 questions about the Netherlands' involvement in Afghanistan
News item | 01-07-2021 | 11:47

At the end of June 2021, the last Dutch military personnel left Afghanistan. A historic moment, marking the end of almost 20 years of Dutch military presence. But even after the military mission has ended, the Netherlands will continue to actively support the country. Here, Caecilia Wijgers, the Dutch ambassador in the capital Kabul, answers five questions about the Netherlands' involvement in Afghanistan. ’We're standing at a crossroads in history.'

#StayandDeliver: this in these challenging times, an important message which we fully support. [_link]

— Caecilia Wijgers (@caeciliawijgers) July 6, 2021

Full Stop and the Band Played On

Thank you @MHaneefAtmar for briefing us. NL stressed the need for respect for Internat Humanitarian Law and continued access for our implementing development partners. #stayanddeliver [_link]z

— Caecilia Wijgers (@caeciliawijgers) July 7, 2021

Dutch Prepare Embassy Evacuation Kabul

Netherlands preparing evacuation of embassy in Kabul [_link]

— NL Times (@NL_Times) August 13, 2021

Dutch Embassy Kabul Breakdown Communication

Dutch embassy workers in Kabul lifted from bed by US soldiers [_link]

— NL Times (@NL_Times) August 17, 2021

Dutch military C-17 Globemaster plane returns with 40 passengers, none with Dutch nationality.

Dutch Send New Evacuation Plane to Kabul, Worried Time Running Out | Reuters |

Dutch Cabinet Shuns Motions of Parliament

Beantwoording kabinet was vandaag ronduit beschamend. Er is maanden getreuzeld, en de verantwoordelijkheid wordt telkens afgeschoven. Op dit moment kunnen velen die voor NL hebben gewerkt het vliegveld niet meer bereiken. Een drama, en een schandvlek voor Nederland.

— Kati Piri (@KatiPiri) August 17, 2021

Translation:

The cabinet's response today was downright embarrassing. There has been months of delay, and responsibility is always shifted. At the moment many who have worked for NL can no longer reach the airport. A drama and a disgrace for the Netherlands.

Oops ... Where Is the Dutch Ambassador?

Apparently in safe hands in her home country ... send back into Kabul with a new team for handling emergency visa's and passports. Documents are essential to have a chance to pass the Taliban security checkpoints ... what an ugly mess ...

Het nieuwe ambassadeteam is zojuist aangekomen in #Kabul om het evacuatieproces uit #Afghanistan verder te begeleiden. Dit team bestaat uit ambassadeur Caecilia Wijgers, een consulair noodteam en 62 militairen. Het team dat zij afwisselen is inmiddels terug in Nederland.

— Sigrid Kaag (@ministerBZ) August 18, 2021

Translation:

The new embassy team just arrived in #Kabul to complete the evacuation process #Afghanistan to further guide and support. This team consists of ambassador Caecilia Wijgers, a consular emergency team and 62 military personnel. The team they replaced is now back in the Netherlands. 😡💥

Tough to catch up and assist to evacuate Afghans the Dutch are indebted to for their loyalty and work to perform ISAF tasks.

Afghan employees of Dutch embassy struggling to reach airport: report [_link]

— NL Times (@NL_Times) August 20, 2021

How was this possible? The Dutch embassy staff left w/o any notification to Afghan employees … in a stealth escape as thieves in the night. The employees returned to an vacated embassy building … they were left stranded. Netherlands 🇳🇱 🦁

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