Dutch parties 'declare war' on activists who urge destruction of military equipment
MPs of the main government parties want to deal decisively with peace activists who encourage sabotage of military hardware. Two of the groups in the firing line are 'Onkruit' and 'Radicale Antimilitaristische Actie' (RAMA).
Speaking on behalf of his Christian Democrat (CDA) and Liberal (VVD) colleagues, CDA parliamentarian Roland Kortenhorst said the costs of sabotage should be claimed back to the last cent from the organisations and individuals responsible. He also said Internet Service Providers (ISPs) should be forced to block websites that encourage criminal damage of military property. His views were backed publicly by Liberal MP Zsolt Szabo.
MPs of the small government party D66 have not come out publicly in support of a crackdown on the peace activists.
Kortenhorst said he was shocked to find the 'Onkruit' website praising the latest sabotage action. An estimated EUR 900,000 damage was caused when activists let the air out of tires of 480 military vehicles at Majoor Mulderkazerne base in Stroe at the weekend. "Shivers ran down my spine. This is pure radical rubbish that openly calls for the destruction of equipment that citizens pay tax for," the MP said.
Posted by: lotp 2005-10-08 |