NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR EXPATS
IN THE NETHERLANDS - 27  SEPTEMBER

Defence minister denies abuse in Iraq

17 November 2006

AMSTERDAM — Defence Minister Henk Kamp has denied that Dutch soldiers did anything wrong in interrogating Iraqi prisoners.

The minister was responding to allegations on Friday that Dutch military officers abused Iraqi prisoners in the province Al Muthanna in 2003.

Kamp said military police investigated the case in 2003 and that inquiries did not reveal any crimes took place.

But the coalition cabinet has formed an independent commission to re-investigate the matter.

The commission will also investigate whether the involved parties, including Kamp, responded to the case in the correct manner.

The controversy has erupted just five days before national parliamentary elections.

Left-wing opposition MPs are demanding that Parliament reconvene to debate the matter.

[Copyright Expatica News 2006]

Subject: Dutch news