The Netherlands is fully behind the service personnel, diplomats and development staff who are doing such difficult work in Uruzgan. This message was conveyed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Verhagen in a telephone conversation with the most senior Dutch diplomat in the Afghan province, Civil Representative Jennes de Mol.

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‘I understand as well as anyone how important it is that the political debate in The Hague has no negative repercussions for the excellent work being done by our people in Afghanistan,’ said Mr Verhagen. ‘I will do everything I can to ensure that they can continue our successful approach in Uruzgan between now and August.’

The minister asked that this message be passed on to the military commander of the Uruzgan Task Force, Brigadier General Kees van den Heuvel. There are currently ten diplomats and development workers and 1,500 service personnel in Uruzgan. The combined Dutch approach, embracing diplomacy, defence and development, serves as a model for many countries.

Mr Verhagen also conveyed the compliments he had received on the efforts of the Dutch when he telephoned ministers in various countries to discuss the situation arising from the Netherlands’ inability to take a decision about further involvement in Afghanistan after August of this year.