Dutch forces have for several years been training soldiers in Mali, Senegal and Chad in their fight against al-Qaeda militants—without the Dutch parliament being informed.
The covert mission is part of the United States war against terrorism, according to Dutch newspaper AD, which cites documents from the US Congress and the Pentagon.
The Dutch defence ministry argues that the mission requires no parliamentary approval as it is a training mission and not an operation backed by a United Nations resolution.
The Socialist Party and the Christian Union have voiced dismay. The SP points out that the mission is taking place in a war zone, which could threaten Dutch troops, Dutch foreign interests and the Netherlands itself.
(cl)
© Radio Netherlands Worldwide
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Yeah well maybe they just want to help better a continent that seems to always be in dis-array.?. Why is everyone so judgemental about the Dutch? It is not like they are mean. They are some of the most peaceful people around.
I'm sure that training private mercenary armies under the dutch brand will be profitable but every country is doing this. Do the Dutch want to be known as the bombers of goat herds?
"The Dutch defence ministry argues that the mission requires no parliamentary approval as it is a training mission and not an operation backed by a United Nations resolution."...Is this way it works. The Dutch parliament does not control training missions by it's military as long as the mission is classified as a "training mission." Did a previous parliament write into law an exemption for all training missions such as this one? Why does a country such as the Netherlands restrict a vast majority of it's citizens from owning guns because they are dangerous and deadly but sends it's citizens, military advisors, to other countries to teach the art warfare? Isn't there a journalist willing to ask the who, what, when, where and why military training missions such as this one are not reported to parliament? Are you satisfied with the answer, "training mission"?
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