In today's Dutch papers the Netherlands riles its neighbours, changes its mind about flu jabs and embraces high-speed train travel. Meanwhile crisis-stricken students swamp Dutch universities and the health minister is advised to have his head examined...

The less neighbourly side of the Netherlands
NRC Handelsblad reports on the threat of a diplomatic crisis between the Belgium and the Netherlands. The Belgians are furious that the Dutch Council of State is threatening to halt the dredging of the Westerschelde, which means large ships will be unable to reach the port of Antwerp. NRC warns that while protests are currently limited to semi-serious campaigns such as a threatened boycott of Dutch mussels, "the Flemish anger is very real" and that "the relationship between Belgium and the Netherlands is deteriorating".

Environmental concerns are the reason given for not going ahead with the dredging work but the Belgians suspect foul play. "I can't shake the feeling that there are protectionist ideas at work," says Flemish politician Annick De Ridder. After all, larger vessels not being able to reach Antwerp can only be good news for its main rival - the Port of Rotterdam. As the MP's comments reveal, the wounds run deep "You Dutch blocked the Westerschelde back in the 16th and 17th century and turned Antwerp into a ghost town. And there's a risk it will happen all over again. Unless the Westerschelde is dredged, 180,000 jobs could be wiped out."

NRC Handelsblad is backing the Belgians to the hilt. In its editorial the paper warns of "an economic conflict between neighbours" and states "the Netherlands' position looks suspect to say the least". The paper calls on the Dutch government to show what it's made of before a final decision is made at the end of the year: "provide sufficient protection for the natural environment of the Westerschelde and show that the Netherlands is a trustworthy neighbour."

Consternation at flu jab U-turn
An apparent U-turn in Dutch policy on Mexican flu is causing confusion and consternation in today's papers. When public health fears were at their height the government responded by snapping up enough vaccines to protect everyone in the Netherlands twice over. But now the flu appears to be less harmful than was first thought, the authorities have scaled back their plans. Now only high-risk groups and healthcare workers will be vaccinated to begin with, saving around 250 millions euros. Not everyone's pleased about this latest development, as De Telegraaf's headline "Row over flu jab" reveals.

The news that the over 60s will be among those first vaccinated has raised some eyebrows, since this group was initially thought to be less at risk than younger people. But while older people are less likely to catch the virus, they are more likely to become seriously ill as a result, hence the preferential treatment. "This news has come as a shock to many older people," says a spokesman for senior citizens.

The police have vented their frustration at not being among those to be vaccinated first. "For the sake of law and order it's important that enough officers stay on the job," insists the police union. Dutch hospitals are pleased that their workers will be among those to receive the first flu jab, though no one will be forced into it. In AD, the head of the Netherlands Institute for Public Health, Roel Coutinho, warns this could be a problem since only 25 percent of healthcare workers normally go for an annual flu jab. "We hope that people will take their professional responsibility seriously," he says.

The Dutch go high-speed at last
The Netherlands' relationship with high-speed train travel has been fraught with difficulties, but after decades of wrangling and setbacks the first high speed service between Amsterdam and Rotterdam gets underway next month and the press have been given a sneak preview.

De Volkskrant waxes lyrical about the experience: "The view from the viaduct is wonderful. Gliding along above the greenhouses the passenger is greeted by the skyline of The Hague in the distance and can even catch a glimpse of the cranes at Hook of Holland."

It's not long before the griping starts, however. AD is disappointed that "the train chugs along at a snail's pace" between Amsterdam and Schiphol Airport and only hits its stride after the next stop.

The price of a ticket also has people grumbling: up to 60% more expensive than on the regular service. De Telegraaf reports that this is a determined attempt by Dutch Railways to claw back some of the huge sum they paid for the line, following botched negotiations with the government back in 1999.

But there's no dampening the spirits of one person involved: the train driver himself. De Volkskrant quotes him as saying "When we get the new Italian trains they've ordered, it's going to be even better. The future's looking great."

Student numbers rising in troubled times
Today's de Volkskrant reports that "studying is back in fashion thanks to the recession". In the country as a whole, student registrations are up by 25%. The paper checks out the situation at Radboud Univesity in Nijmegen which is expecting 18% more students than usual. It appears that in these times of crisis, school leavers have decided they can't afford to take a year off.

De Volkskrant features a surreal photo of three champagne-swilling hooray Henrys in three-piece suits out to attract prospective first-year students to join their club at the university open day. Bizarrely, their secret weapon would appear to be a perky blonde astride a camel.

Trouw's take on the story is less upbeat: "Higher education fears effects of growth" is its headline. The growing pains might not be too severe, however. The paper reports that teething troubles with a new centralized student registration system could mean that student numbers haven't risen by all that much and that the universities' tales of "dramatic growth" could be a strategy to extract more funding from the government.

Psychotherapist wishes neurosis on health minister
Trouw reports that psychotherapist Christa Witlund, better known in Dutch literary circles by her nom de plume Anna Enquist, hopes health minister Ab Klink ends up suffering from a neurosis so that he can experience a dose of therapy for himself.

"I receive letters from Mr Klink telling me that patients have to provide me with their passport and national insurance number. Imagine - someone has finally overcome their fears and insecurities to seek help from a therapist. And the first thing they're asked is 'show me your passport'."

That's not the only thing Dutch psychotherapists are up in arms about. After only one or two sessions, insurance companies now demand that therapists state what the treatment is going to be and how long it will take.

"In my profession, that's just utter nonsense," says Christa Witlund. "It's impossible to give an exact diagnosis after talking to someone twice. That emerges as you go along."

"Many psychotherapists are giving up their practice. They can no longer cope with the paperwork and they object to their professional confidentiality being violated. The baby is being thrown out with the bathwater, and that's something the minister needs to know."