International

The JSF, the fighter-bomber which the Netherlands is set to purchase from the USA, must not be given any nuclear tasks, according to a motion proposed by SP Member of Parliament Jasper van Dijk passed today by a majority in Parliament.

‘If the JSF does come, it will not be allowed to carry nuclear weapons,’ says Van Dijk. ‘This is an important statement in the discussion around getting rid of these weapons. The government denies the role nuclear weapons have played in the purchase of the JSF, but from countless documents it can be seen that there is a solid connection. This motion puts to flight an important argument in favour of purchasing the JSF.’

Jasper van Dijk with activists from ecumenical peace group IKV Pax Christi (Photo: Eveline van Egdom)

‘We all know that there are American nuclear bombs on the air force base at Volkel,’ adds Van Dijk. ‘The SP wants to get rid of the things. Now that Parliament has declared that the replacement for the F16 must not be given any nuclear tasks, we can accelerate the bombs’ removal from Volkel, thus killing two birds with one stone: getting rid of the nuclear bombs and making the JSF redundant.’

Van Dijk is requesting an immediate debate, in the near future, on the implementation of his motion.