The British envoy to Afghanistan, Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, has called on the Dutch government to maintain its military presence there.
In an interview with Radio Netherlands Worldwide, the British envoy said he had been impressed by the approach taken by the Dutch troops in Afghanistan. "Outsiders ought not to meddle in the decision, but we are keen to have the Dutch in Afghanistan", Sir Sherard said. Mr Cowper-Coles is currently in the Netherlands ahead of the Afghanistan summit due to be held at the end of this month in London.
The Dutch cabinet is expected to make a decision by that time. Two parties in the three-party coalition, Labour and the Christian Union, want the mission to end in 2011. Christian Union Defence Minister Eimert Middelkoop, however, disagrees with his party and wants the mission to be extended, albeit on a smaller scale. Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen, a Christian Democrat shares his view.
The two ministers are considering either a new, smaller mission in the southern province of Uruzgan, or in another province. Another option is for Dutch military personnel to train the Afghan army or police.
Camp Holland in Uruzgan
Camp Holland in Uruzgan
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Its a fair decision by Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, who called on the Dutch government to maintain its military presence in Afghanistan. It is a like fighting together the war.
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