Eight more months for Dutch troops in Iraq

THE HAGUE (AFP) Jun 11, 2004
The Dutch cabinet has decided to extend the mandate of the Dutch troops stationed in Iraq for a further eight months, until early 2005, the ANP news agency reported Friday.

The ANP said the Dutch minister of Foreign Affairs Ben Bot and the minister of Defence Henk Kamp had informed the parliament of the government's decision in an official letter Friday.

Formally the government's decision can be taken without consulting the parliament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Bart Jochems told AFP.

However the government is to discuss the proposal in parliament to try to get broad support for the mission. A possible parliamentary vote is expected to be a mere formality as the parties in the ruling coalition, who hold a majority in parliament, have already pledged their support.

As the mandate of the current Dutch mission in Iraq was set to expire at the end of June, the extension means the contingent will stay until the end of February 2005.

The Netherlands has around 1,300 troops stationed in southern Iraq, under British command.

WAR.WIRE