24 Dutch soldiers refuse to follow order in A'stan

Galileo · 10-01-2008, 08:55 AM

A group of 24 Dutch soldiers was placed in "non-active duty" in Afghanistan for refusing to obey orders. Disciplinary action "exceptional", according to one of the unions in the army, General Federation of military personnel (AFMP). The soldiers refused to make a reconnaissance patrol last week, presumably because of lack of armored vehicles. The burnout was also mentioned by the Dutch recruits, who are among the 1 700 troops in the Afghan province of Uruzgan as part of a military mission of NATO high of 43 000 men.
An investigation by the military police is underway. It could lead to repatriation and prosecution of soldiers in court martial. Eimert van Middelkoop, Minister of Defense, does not speak of "mutiny", nor make any comment before the end of the investigation.
The rebel battalion commander said that his men were reluctant so it became impossible to deploy on the ground.
The Union of defense staff (VBM-NOV), for its part, believes that vehicles and spare parts shortage in Uruzgan, putting soldiers' lives in danger. "Bushmaster model [an armored vehicle] offers better protection against bomb attacks, said a spokesman for the VBM-NOV. However, each battalion of 30 men has only one model, with a capacity of 10 places. "And to challenge the cuts in the defense budget.
On the other hand, the morale of troops dropped to zero on September 24, when Eimert van Middelkoop told the magazine Vrij Nederland not doing his military service and would be "delighted". The defense minister has also admitted not knowing all ranks of the army and suggested he did not learn.
Unions have called for his resignation but the government has seen his "honest" and decided to remain in his post. The Dutch troops remain in Afghanistan until August 2010. But the Netherlands, many doubt the usefulness of this mission, which 17 people died in two years.

source only in french : http://www.liberation.fr/monde/01011...s-se-rebellent

Mjolnir · 10-01-2008, 09:09 AM

[x] Translation sucks.
[x] Old news. (discussed in the dutch pics thread.)

Galileo · 10-01-2008, 09:13 AM

Didn't find any reference on MP using search function
I am french so translation must suck so if you can do better, do it.

SineJustitia · 10-01-2008, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galileo

On the other hand, the morale of troops dropped to zero on September 24, when Eimert van Middelkoop told the magazine Vrij Nederland not doing his military service and would be "delighted".

Hey, my morale dropped to zero. Good thing I keep up with French media, or I wouldn't have known.

Xav · 10-01-2008, 10:48 AM

Soldiers have union in Netherlands? wow... Even in France (where most people in most industries are unionized and unions have lots of power) we don't have a unionized military.

10-01-2008, 08:55 AM	#1
Galileo Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Strathcona, Alberta, CA Age: 44 Posts: 840	24 Dutch soldiers refuse to follow order in A'stan A group of 24 Dutch soldiers was placed in "non-active duty" in Afghanistan for refusing to obey orders. Disciplinary action "exceptional", according to one of the unions in the army, General Federation of military personnel (AFMP). The soldiers refused to make a reconnaissance patrol last week, presumably because of lack of armored vehicles. The burnout was also mentioned by the Dutch recruits, who are among the 1 700 troops in the Afghan province of Uruzgan as part of a military mission of NATO high of 43 000 men. An investigation by the military police is underway. It could lead to repatriation and prosecution of soldiers in court martial. Eimert van Middelkoop, Minister of Defense, does not speak of "mutiny", nor make any comment before the end of the investigation. The rebel battalion commander said that his men were reluctant so it became impossible to deploy on the ground. The Union of defense staff (VBM-NOV), for its part, believes that vehicles and spare parts shortage in Uruzgan, putting soldiers' lives in danger. "Bushmaster model [an armored vehicle] offers better protection against bomb attacks, said a spokesman for the VBM-NOV. However, each battalion of 30 men has only one model, with a capacity of 10 places. "And to challenge the cuts in the defense budget. On the other hand, the morale of troops dropped to zero on September 24, when Eimert van Middelkoop told the magazine Vrij Nederland not doing his military service and would be "delighted". The defense minister has also admitted not knowing all ranks of the army and suggested he did not learn. Unions have called for his resignation but the government has seen his "honest" and decided to remain in his post. The Dutch troops remain in Afghanistan until August 2010. But the Netherlands, many doubt the usefulness of this mission, which 17 people died in two years. source only in french : http://www.liberation.fr/monde/01011...s-se-rebellent Last edited by Galileo; 10-01-2008 at 09:07 AM.

10-01-2008, 09:09 AM	#2
Mjolnir Dispatcher Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 3,661	[x] Translation sucks. [x] Old news. (discussed in the dutch pics thread.)

10-01-2008, 09:13 AM	#3
Galileo Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Strathcona, Alberta, CA Age: 44 Posts: 840	Didn't find any reference on MP using search function I am french so translation must suck so if you can do better, do it.

10-01-2008, 10:48 AM	#5
Xav Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: French Dude in Melbourne Florida Posts: 4,947	Soldiers have union in Netherlands? wow... Even in France (where most people in most industries are unionized and unions have lots of power) we don't have a unionized military.