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Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen responded to an interview with the Mainichi Shimbun ahead of his visit to Japan beginning Saturday, covering issues including cooperation between Japan and the Netherlands in peacekeeping operations, the destruction of cluster munitions, and Japanese compensation for wartime actions. Below is the interview in Q&A format.
Peacekeeping operations
Q: The Netherlands is playing a leading role in international efforts to fight terrorism by sending its forces on peacekeeping missions abroad, including to Afghanistan. When Japan dispatched its Self-Defense Force members to Iraq, it was the Dutch army who helped them. The newly appointed Japanese prime minister, Taro Aso, is willing to keep Japan in the global fight against terrorism. In this context, what kind of contribution do you expect from Japan in order to stabilize Afghanistan? From our point of view, we wonder whether the Iraqi-style Dutch-Japan cooperation be applicable in Afghanistan.
A: Japan and the Netherlands had excellent cooperation in Iraq, where we provided security for Japanese troops that were involved in reconstruction activities. Based on our experiences in Iraq we would gladly work again with Japan and are ready to look at the possibilities to cooperate in Afghanistan. Of course the decision regarding a possible Japanese contribution to the international mission in Afghanistan is entirely for the Japanese government to make, including whether or not to send troops.
Reconstruction and development do not happen overnight, and require vast and long-term commitment from the international community. We aim to finance reconstruction activities through Afghan structures, as was agreed at the Paris conference last June, and I encourage other international partners to do the same. Only joint commitment of the international community and the government of Afghanistan will allow us to reverse the negative trends. The upcoming elections, for example, require special attention from the international community. Japan is an important and generous donor in Afghanistan. Your efforts are highly appreciated.
Georgia/Russia
Q: The crisis in Georgia has highlighted the importance of the European Union's eastern neighbors and the complexity of its relationship with Russia. The Netherlands has maintained good relations with Russia. Given the current circumstance, are you going to review the ties as a warning to Russia, or -- on the contrary -- maintain them in order to keep Russia in the international community?
A: Indeed the Netherlands has strong historic, economic and cultural ties with Russia. Our bilateral relations are developing well. Nevertheless, since August the relationship with Russia has been dominated by the Georgia crisis. We support the position taken by the EU and other international organizations that, as a result of the crisis, there can be no "business as usual" vis-a-vis Russia. It is important that Russia implements the EU-brokered six points plan, which stipulates, among other things, the withdrawal of troops to previously held positions. Withdrawals have taken place. This is a step in the right direction. It is important that communication lines to Moscow remain open. Only through dialogue with Russia a sustainable solution for the problems in Georgia can be found. Our "no business as usual" with Russia, therefore, does not imply "no business at all."
Cluster bombs
Q: This spring, the Netherlands government announced plan to destroy its reserves of cluster bombs. Could you tell us the current situation of that process? After learning about the use of cluster bombs in the recent Georgian conflict, what is your message to the international community, especially Russia, Georgia, China and the United States who were not the part of the Oslo Process?
A: By agreeing to the draft text of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, and by consequently signing the Convention in Oslo on Dec. 3, the Netherlands demonstrates its determination to prohibit the use, production, development and stockpiling of all cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians.
All cluster munitions in the inventory of the Netherlands Armed Forces will be destroyed. Only a limited number of munitions will possibly be retained for the development of and training in cluster munitions detection, clearance or destruction techniques, or the development of cluster munitions countermeasures. The destruction will take place through the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency (NAMSA).
The Netherlands government urges all countries to sign the new Convention on Cluster Munitions, including Russia, Georgia, China and the United States. A universal adherence to the Convention will increase its effectiveness significantly. That this is not yet the case, as was demonstrated by the fact that Dutch cameraman Stan Storimans was killed by a Russian cluster munition in Georgia in August.
Mr. Storimans was killed while reporting on the conflict between Russia and Georgia for RTL News. This was the conclusion of a Dutch investigation. As the Netherlands regards the findings of the investigation extremely serious, it will take additional steps to prevent civilians being killed by cluster weapons in such circumstances in the future. The Netherlands has raised this issue in the Permanent Council of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The Netherlands calls for a political statement to be issued in which member states pledge not to use cluster weapons in situations of this kind.
Verhagen's Sept. 2 speech
Q: You gave two speeches on foreign policy on Sept. 2, one at a meeting with the Dutch ambassadors in The Hague and the other at the Leiden University. In those speeches you emphasized the need to intensify bilateral cooperation and no longer relying "exclusively" on multilateral bodies. In this multi-polar world where China, India and Brazil are emerging as regional and global powers, what is the significance of Dutch-Japan relations? And in what areas would you like to strengthen the ties with Japan?
A: The challenges the world is faced with today, the financial crisis, combating terrorism, respect for human rights, non-proliferation and climate change ask for increased international cooperation. (The issues) cut right through borders and cannot be solved in isolation. We need to invest in multilateral organizations and bilateral partnerships to find creative solutions together. Now more than ever, with geopolitical relationships in the world in flux, we need to forge strong alliances with those countries that share the same values.
Japan stands out as a strong and reliable partner. We both share a common vision on freedom, democracy and human rights in this world. Japan is a stable, advanced democracy that embraces human rights as universal values, respects the rules of the multilateral system, and asks the same respect of others. The Netherlands and Japan may come from different parts of the world, but there are many similarities in our approach to global affairs. I see great merit in intensifying our relationship, economically, politically and in the field of international security. With that goal in mind I will travel to Japan.
War compensation
Q: The Netherlands and Japan are working together to foster our forward-looking relations. But as you mentioned in your message to the Japanese people, it should be "without forgetting the black chapter of war in our nations' history." Some former Dutch soldiers held by the Japanese army in Indonesia are demanding individual compensation to the Japanese government. May I have your comment on that?
A: During the Second World War approximately 120,000 Dutch people were held in Japanese internment camps, both prisoners of war and civil internees, of whom some 300 women were victims of forced prostitution. Their human rights, and those of many others, were violated during the war. In the past the government of Japan has offered apologies and some compensation.
Legally, the matter is settled, but for many people, this is not enough. The emotions of the victims are strong; the wounds of the war past after more than 60 years still fresh. The next generations feel the effects, too. This is especially the case for the victims of forced prostitution.
Against this background, the Dutch parliament and the Dutch government appeal to the Japanese authorities for an additional gesture to these people. This is an issue that has to be addressed. But I also have strong feelings about safeguarding human rights in the present and the future, in wartime and otherwise. I look forward to working together with Japan in this field, because I know that our two peoples share these basic rights and values.
(Mainichi Japan) October 25, 2008
 Copyright 2005-2006 THE MAINICHI NEWSPAPERS. All rights reserved. Mainichi features the best news in Japan, current news in Japan, Japan news in English, Japan business news, Tokyo Japan news, and Japan entertainment news. Mainichi News is syndicated in accordance with editorial regulations: personal and noncommercial purposes.
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