U.S. Seeks More Dutch Help in Iraq

WASHINGTON - The State Department said Friday it is encouraging the Dutch government to continue contributing to Iraq (news - web sites)'s security beyond the scheduled March 15 departure date for Dutch troops.



Dutch officials reaffirmed on Friday that they are standing by that date for the withdrawal of the country's troops in Iraq. At present, there are an estimated 1,300 there.


"We certainly would encourage them to consider how to continue their contribution to the effort in Iraq, through NATO (news - web sites) or with their direct deployment," department spokesman Richard Boucher said.


He added that all countries with troops in Iraq should link their withdrawal plans to Iraqi needs rather than to dates on the calendar

more: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&ncid=732&e=7&u=/ap/20041112/ap_on_re_mi_ea/us_netherlands_iraq

Dutch Muslims Fear Backlash From Murder

EINDHOVEN, Netherlands - The Muslim woman adjusted her head scarf and gazed wearily at her daughters' elementary school Friday, one of many Islamic sites attacked since a Muslim radical allegedly murdered a Dutch filmmaker who criticized Islam.


An explosion earlier in the week not only shattered windows and doors — it damaged the Muslim community's faith in the tolerance of their neighbors.


One mother said the attack made her afraid. "I always thought the Netherlands was the safest place in the whole world, but if you see all that's happening, I don't know anymore," said the woman, who didn't want to be quoted by name for fear of reprisals. "I didn't know what to tell my daughter. She asked me: `Mommy, why us? All we did was go to school.'"


In Amsterdam, meanwhile, Queen Beatrix made her first public appearance since the slaying of Theo van Gogh and sought to assuage Muslims' anxieties by reaching out to Islamic youths.

more: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=518&ncid=732&e=4&u=/ap/20041112/ap_on_re_eu/netherlands_muslim_fears

Tulips are better then one

:shrug:

After the Pim Fortuyn assasination in 2002 and now the Van Gogh murder, the Dutch culture clash with Islam is bringing out the worst.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardianweekly/story/0,,1349973,00.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1349346,00.html

* spending more capital...:eyes: