De Telegraaf reports on a proposal by the Socialist Party (SP) faction in Amsterdam to build a cheaper alternative of the North-South line metro tunnel project, whose initial costs have soared from 1.4 billion euros to 3.1 billion.

The project, which began in 2003 and has met numerous delays due to severe subsidence which caused damage to historic houses, was originally scheduled for completion in 2012. According to the latest projections the new metro will not be ready before 2018.

The SP has presented a proposal by the consultancy firm TransTec to complete the project by 2013 for less than 300 million euros. The tunnel under the IJ river separating North Amsterdam from the centre would be completed. However instead of building a tunnel to Amsterdam South and the World Trade Centre the firm advises constructing a quick tram link with seven additional stops.

Several days ago a committee headed by former Agriculture Minister Cees Veerman recommended that Amsterdam continue with the project despite the soaring costs and delays. The major reasons given were that stopping the project would damage Amsterdam’s international prestige and be a waste of already spent money.

In an article in the NRC Handelsblad, Professor of Philosophy Gijs van Oenen writes that although the Veerman Commission presented cost estimates and proposals, it did not answer any of the essential questions concerning technique and construction. "After all, that was the major concern, that more historic buildings would sink, or even collapse – such as the dramatic example of the city archives in Cologne where two people were killed (in the construction of a similar metro)." Instead, writes Professor Van Oenen, the commission proposes better organisation and agreements with constructors, "which is what appears in every report by any commission on any arbitrary subject".

In today's nrc.next, lawyer and publisher Menno van der Veen also objects to the conclusions of the Veerman Commission, saying the report appears to "do the municipality of Amsterdam’s dirty work. The recommendations are certainly music to the municipality’s ears." Mr Van der Veen writes that the report parrots the city's claims that the North-South Line is essential for Amsterdam's prestige without providing valid reasons. "Nowhere are the arguments substantiated. Why would an underground attract tourists to a city fit for walking with an intricate tram network?"

Floods of abuse against Muslims on Internet

AD writes that the Dutch Complaints Bureau for Discrimination on the Internet reported 899 instances of insulting and discriminatory remarks on the Internet, of which 524 targetted Moroccans and Turks. Another 213 were anti-Semitic. In most cases the insulting comments were immediately removed by the administrator. The paper writes that most discriminatory remarks appear on news sites where readers can respond.

"Non-native Dutch" feel themselves unwelcome guests

The free newspaper Spits reports growing concerns among "allochtonen" (a term to describe non-native Dutch, mostly of non-Western origin) about the rise of the populist Freedom Party of the fiercely anti-Muslim politician Geert Wilders. In the opinion polls the Freedom Party is at the moment the largest in the Netherlands.

"Not only the older generation, but also the youth feel themselves more and more an unwelcome guest," writes Spits. Umar Mirza, editor of the weblog wijblijvenhier.nl (weareheretostay.nl) says: "A few years ago non-native Dutch thought the Wilders phenomenon was a passing fad. After the recent elections he is being taken seriously."

Marianne Vorthoren, member of a Muslim organisation in Rotterdam says she finds it troubling that Muslim youths do not feel welcome in the Netherlands. "While they were born and bred here; this is their country." Hm, but why do the Dutch media categorise people who were born and bred here by referring to them daily as "non-native Dutch"?

 
Shooting with camera prevents Israeli violence

The free newspaper Metro writes about a photographic exhibition to be held in Amsterdam and The Hague this week which will display video fragments from the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem (In the Shadow). "Palestinian video activists who face violence from Israeli settlers and soldiers do not shoot back with weapons, but with cameras."

The paper writes that complaints by Palestinian shepherds and families about abuse from Israeli settlers and soldiers are usually not taken seriously by the Israeli public "until the incidents appear on film. An incident in which Israeli soldiers beat a blindfolded demonstrator and shot him in the foot caused a lot of commotion when it was broadcast on Israeli television." The incident was later condemned by the Israeli defence ministry.

The video was shot by a 14-year-old Palestinian girl who along with hundreds of others of video activists have been trained by B’Tselem. "The violence has decreased since videos of violent incidents began to regularly be broadcast," says Oren Yakobovich, director of B'Tselem’s video department. "In any event when there are cameras around."

Ecological burials latest fad

The free quality newspaper De Pers writes about the first "ecological" burial site in the Netherlands. "As of today people can be buried in a biologically decomposable grave." Those who prefer to be buried ecologically are placed in a grave covered in a shroud, or an 'eco-coffin' of sustainable ash-wood, braided reed or even carton. And last but not least: An eco-funeral is not only good for the environment, but also the wallet. A carton coffin is much cheaper than a wooden one and the fact that there is no tombstone saves a fortune. Theo Veenstra of the Natural Death Centre says: "I think this should appeal to the (thrifty) Dutch."