Deputy Prime Minister Wouter Bos insists the Dutch mission to Afghanistan must not be extended.

The Labour Party leader says the cabinet at the time decided that the mission would end in 2010. "You are aware of the cabinet's decision and the position of the Labour Party, and that is all I have to say". Mr Bos said he does not feel any pressure from the international community to stay in Afghanistan beyond 2010.

On Wednesday, United States Vice President Joe Biden called Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende and told him he hoped the Netherlands would extend its presence in Uruzgan. The cabinet has not yet decided, but Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen and Defence Minister Eimert van Middelkoop are reportedly looking for ways to extend the mission to Afghanistan. Minister Verhagen accuses the Labour Party of distorting the facts.

Photo: Deputy Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Wouter Bos (Wikipedia)