Labour MPs in the Netherlands have reacted with shock to claims that senior Dutch civil servants urged US officials to pressure former Labour party leader Wouter Bos to support a continued Dutch military mission in Afghanistan."Mark Rutte who heads up the new Dutch Government has recently proposed the Netherlands return to Afghanistan. This time with with what he calls a "training mission" but "souped up" with air-force and military support. units".(EU-Digest)
The claims flow from US diplomatic cables leaked by the Wikileaks website. Labour's refusal to back a longer stay in Afghanistan eventually led to the government's collapse.
In one cable, officials write that Bos must be made aware the Netherlands' invitation to take part in an important G20 summit is thanks to the country's efforts in Afghanistan. Dutch Labour MPs now want a parliamentary debate on the issue. 'If this is true, we have a big problem,' Labour MP Ronald Plasterk told the Volkskrant. 'Imagine a US civil servant making plans with the Dutch government against president Obama? It's impossible to imagine such a thing.'
For more: DutchNews.nl - Wikileaks: US pressured Labour leader over Afghanistan
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