In a letter to parliament, the Dutch cabinet has admitted that MPs could have been better informed in the run-up to the Iraq war.
In their response to the Davids Inquiry into the decision to back the war, ministers say MPs should have been more fully informed about the doubts and uncertainties of the Dutch intelligence services. The cabinet also thinks it would have been sensible for parliament to have been told more about the United States' request for Dutch support.
Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende repeated that, with hindsight, he believes the Iraq war required a more robust mandate in international law.
MPs from the parties in the ruling coalition, are pleased with the letter. The Labour Party (PvdA) fiercely criticised Mr Balkenende, a Christian Democrat (CDA), following his initial response to the report.
However, PvdA MPs say that the mistakes around the decision to back the war have now been addressed and all the questions answered. They are dropping their demand for a parliamentary inquiry into the issue.
The other coalition parties, the CDA and small Christian Union party, praised the letter as balanced, describing it as a good basis for the future.
Opposition parties were less happy, with the Socialists complaining that mistakes had not been acknowledged. Green Left said the prime minister should accept responsibility for what went wrong and the conservative VVD argued that there are still unanswered questions. Geert Wilders, leader of the right-wing Freedom Party, mocked Mr Balkenende for bowing to PvdA demands.
MPs will debate the cabinet’s response to the Davids Report on Tuesday, next week.
© Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Willibrord Davids
Email this Article
Printer-friendly version
Finally whe get elections and get fired the most INCOMPETENT prime-minister EVER.
It's GREAT NEWS.
Finally J.P. falls over his own LIES, he is an incompetent FOOL, who want to rule forever, he's a big pain in the ass.
Did you now how many people in The Netherlands lives in poverty? how many damage he create with his ingnorant political behavior.
Obama said he was the BEST European leader after WW II, perhabs he is in USA eyes because the fool says NEVER no to any USA president, yes and if you humble to the USA then you are a good leader.
But he isn't, he is a really BAD leader, he NEVER looks to his own people, but if the USA gives a kick, he send troops like cannonfodder, he don't give a damn for any life but his own.
With tricks and lies he has instructed our parlement to sign for a war with no justification whatsoever, only to please his friend George W. Bush, and i saw it on TV that Bush laught over him behind his back of this Harry Potter lookalike.
A war with thousands of peoples lives lost, for but one reason, he was affraid to say no because the fool has no spine.
Finally whe can dump this joker, he took the Netherlands into shame.
Post new comment
Please be reminded all comments must be in English, short and to the point - guideline 250 words. Abusive and inappropriate comments will be removed.