A Green Left party congress at the weekend is expected to see fierce debate between party leader Jolande Sap and a number of provincial party leaders on the Dutch Kunduz police training mission.

A year ago, Ms Sap provided the minority cabinet with the parliamentary support it needed to send a police training mission to the Afghan province of Kunduz.

She agreed to the mission on condition that it remain entirely civilian and police officers trained by Dutch personnel not take part in combat missions.

Her decision was fiercely criticised by the party’s rank and file, but she eventually won a vote of confidence at the then party congress. She pledged she would closely monitor the mission to see whether the cabinet made good on its promises.

However, a number of regional Green Left leaders are now demanding the party withdraw its support because the mission has become militarised after all. Ms Sap is accused of not keeping her promise to monitor the mission and report back to the members.

Jolande Sap says she is not worried. No less than 1,500 party members have registered for Saturday’s congress, a record for Green Left. However, it is not known whether they are mostly supporters or opponents of the mission.

(gsh)

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide