This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/8525742.stm
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 7 | Version 8 |
---|---|
Dutch cabinet falls in Afghan row | Dutch cabinet falls in Afghan row |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The Dutch government has collapsed over disagreements within the governing coalition on extending troop deployments in Afghanistan. | The Dutch government has collapsed over disagreements within the governing coalition on extending troop deployments in Afghanistan. |
After marathon talks, Christian Democratic Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende announced that the Labour Party was quitting the government. | After marathon talks, Christian Democratic Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende announced that the Labour Party was quitting the government. |
He offered his government's resignation to Queen Beatrix in a telephone call. | |
The premier had been considering a Nato request for Dutch forces to stay in Afghanistan beyond 2010. | |
But Labour, the second-largest coalition party, has opposed the move. | But Labour, the second-largest coalition party, has opposed the move. |
Just under 2,000 Dutch service personnel have been serving in the southern Afghan province of Uruzgan since 2006, with 21 killed. | Just under 2,000 Dutch service personnel have been serving in the southern Afghan province of Uruzgan since 2006, with 21 killed. |
Their deployment has already been extended once. | Their deployment has already been extended once. |
Where there is no trust, it is difficult to work together Jan Peter Balkenende | Where there is no trust, it is difficult to work together Jan Peter Balkenende |
The troops should have returned home in 2008, but they stayed on because no other Nato nation offered replacements. | The troops should have returned home in 2008, but they stayed on because no other Nato nation offered replacements. |
The commitment is now due to end in August 2010. | The commitment is now due to end in August 2010. |
The Dutch parliament voted in October 2009 that it must definitely stop by then, although the government has yet to endorse that vote. | The Dutch parliament voted in October 2009 that it must definitely stop by then, although the government has yet to endorse that vote. |
Mr Balkenende's centre-right Christian Democrats wanted to agree to Nato's request to extend the Dutch presence in Afghanistan. | Mr Balkenende's centre-right Christian Democrats wanted to agree to Nato's request to extend the Dutch presence in Afghanistan. |
But this was bitterly opposed by the Dutch Labour Party. | But this was bitterly opposed by the Dutch Labour Party. |
The finance minister and leader of the Labour Party, Wouter Bos, demanded an immediate ruling from Mr Balkenende. | The finance minister and leader of the Labour Party, Wouter Bos, demanded an immediate ruling from Mr Balkenende. |
When they failed to reach a compromise, Labour said it was pulling out of the coalition. | When they failed to reach a compromise, Labour said it was pulling out of the coalition. |
Nato priority | Nato priority |
Mr Balkenende said he would offer the cabinet's resignation to the Dutch Queen Beatrix later on Saturday following the collapse of the government. | Mr Balkenende said he would offer the cabinet's resignation to the Dutch Queen Beatrix later on Saturday following the collapse of the government. |
ANALYSIS By Geraldine CoughlanBBC News, The Hague | ANALYSIS By Geraldine CoughlanBBC News, The Hague |
The Defence Ministry says the future of the Dutch mission in Afghanistan depends on the new government. | The Defence Ministry says the future of the Dutch mission in Afghanistan depends on the new government. |
But a new government may prove difficult to establish. | But a new government may prove difficult to establish. |
Opinion polls suggest that a handful of parties may be needed to form a coalition. | Opinion polls suggest that a handful of parties may be needed to form a coalition. |
They also suggest the right-wing opposition Freedom Party, which has called for an end to the Afghan mission, could be the big winner in the general election. | They also suggest the right-wing opposition Freedom Party, which has called for an end to the Afghan mission, could be the big winner in the general election. |
It was announced after a 16-hour cabinet meeting which ran into the early hours of Saturday morning. | It was announced after a 16-hour cabinet meeting which ran into the early hours of Saturday morning. |
The prime minister said there was no common ground between the parties. | The prime minister said there was no common ground between the parties. |
"Where there is no trust, it is difficult to work together. There is no good path to allow this cabinet to go further," he said. | "Where there is no trust, it is difficult to work together. There is no good path to allow this cabinet to go further," he said. |
The launch in 2001 of Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) for Afghanistan was the organisation's first and largest ground operation outside Europe. | The launch in 2001 of Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) for Afghanistan was the organisation's first and largest ground operation outside Europe. |
Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said six months ago when he began his job that his priority was the war in Afghanistan. | Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said six months ago when he began his job that his priority was the war in Afghanistan. |
As of October 2009, Isaf had more than 71,000 personnel from 42 different countries including the US, Canada, European countries, Australia, Jordan and New Zealand. | As of October 2009, Isaf had more than 71,000 personnel from 42 different countries including the US, Canada, European countries, Australia, Jordan and New Zealand. |
Mr Balkenende had been considering the Nato request | Mr Balkenende had been considering the Nato request |
The US provides the bulk of foreign forces in Afghanistan, and President Barack Obama has announced an extra 30,000 American troops for Afghanistan. | The US provides the bulk of foreign forces in Afghanistan, and President Barack Obama has announced an extra 30,000 American troops for Afghanistan. |
The Pentagon has said the next 18 months could prove crucial for the international mission in Afghanistan, after more than eight years of efforts to stabilise the country. | The Pentagon has said the next 18 months could prove crucial for the international mission in Afghanistan, after more than eight years of efforts to stabilise the country. |
Afghanistan remains a deadly place for foreign forces. | Afghanistan remains a deadly place for foreign forces. |
Suicide attacks on Afghan civilians and roadside bomb strikes on international troops are common, with the Taliban strongly resurgent in many areas of the country. | Suicide attacks on Afghan civilians and roadside bomb strikes on international troops are common, with the Taliban strongly resurgent in many areas of the country. |