'Netherlands vulnerable nuclear threat'

Historian: no answer to Russia

That says historian Elmar Hellendoorn today PhD from Utrecht University on research into the Dutch role in the international nuclear policy since World War II. That influence was far greater than had been assumed until now.

Our country was decisive in the decision to share American nuclear knowledge and nuclear weapons through NATO in Europe.

This was because according to Hellendoorn Netherlands led the way with nuclear technology in Europe. Moreover, our country managed by efforts of diplomats as Dirk stitcher to hold NATO. It ensured that the alliance was a nuclear alliance that transcended the states.

"That role could again play the Netherlands," says Hellendoorn. Only the current policy of the Netherlands is a dead end. Minister Koenders (Foreign Affairs) where he can put a tree on nuclear disarmament. At the same time he acknowledges that the Netherlands within NATO "no unilateral action" can put by advocating the disposal of US tactical nuclear weapons in the Netherlands.

Stalemate
A stalemate, says Hellendoorn. "We have absolutely no answer to the threat of Russia." Imagine: Putin goes rummaging in a Baltic state and takes 'green men' and tanks into the capital, outlines the candidate. "With US help, we can answer something like conventional weapons. We can also win such a conflict. But it is not inconceivable that Moscow one or two small nuclear bombs sheds on unimportant targets - for example in the sea. What do we do then? We therefore have no answer. "

It really is not certain that the US than for us to the rescue and a nuclear war with Russia risking a conflict on the edge of Europe, thinks Hellendoorn. Netherlands must re-take the lead and start talking seriously about a new nuclear strategy. "We still have a valuable nuclear industry and science. The nuclear summit NSS has put our country great on the map. However, the Netherlands would now only talk about nuclear disarmament. Thus we are now internationally isolated. "

Debate disarmament
Next week the House debate on nuclear disarmament. Parties PvdA and CDA, which previously have called for disposing of tactical nuclear weapons, which allow plea now omitted. The Labour Party took at the party congress to any proposal to give the JSF no nuclear task. Labour MP Eijsink recognizes that this is not realistic. "We want sooner rather than later a nuclear-free world, but we also need to see the reality and recognize that we are members of NATO."

http://www.telegraaf.nl/  By: Editor Telegraph