International

We have been told from all sides about the so-called reconstruction mission in which we are participating in the Afghan province of Uruzgan. Yesterday Dutch state TV channel gave us, with the film ‘Fokking Hell’-a film made on the basis of pictures created by the soldiers themselves- a glimpse into what has in reality been happening there. ‘Fokking Hell’ is the answer to the Ministry of Defence propaganda to which we have grown accustomed.

The European Commission today responded to questions from the SP by announcing a follow-up study on the effectiveness of drugs policy in the European Union member states. A previous piece of expert research demonstrated clearly that criminalisation and a tougher approach to the soft drugs trade represent a misguided approach: drug use does not diminish and the nuisance and costs to society increase. ´The Dutch government, partly as a result of pressure from the EU, is imposing austerity policies,’ says SP Euro-MP Dennis de Jong. ‘European research indicates that legalisation of the controlled production and sale of soft drugs does not lead to more drug use, and at the same time would produce a great deal of revenue for the state. It would also free up more police officers for other work if they didn’t have to concern themselves with minor drug-related offences.’