Washington Times: Netherlands Ambassador defends Dutch euthanasia law

Washington TimesAt a reporters luncheon organized by the Washington Times, the Netherlands Ambassador in the US, Mr. Boudewijn van Eenennaam defended Dutch euthanasia laws and gave Washington Times reporters a lesson in pragmatism and democratic applications of the law in Europe: He argued that the Dutch law, the product of a broad and intense debate, has given patients, families and doctors clear guidelines while safeguarding against abuse of the law. --At least we have been able by a debate in our parliament to nail down our approach to the euthanasia question, the ambassador said. --We consider that a strong point on our part. Polls are showing that a large majority of Europeans and most of the press there consider the Terri Schiavo drama an example of US politics gone amok and a dispicable display of political pandering."