Trump-Turkey war in Syria, Dutch opposition


This Associated Press video from Belgium says about itself:

NATO chief warns Syria it’s ready to defend Turkey, Hammond on defence mergers

(9 Oct 2012) SHOTLIST

NATO TV

1. Wide of news conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO Secretary-General:

“This is actually not about triggering anything. … But let me stress that this is an alliance based on the principle of solidarity and of course, Turkey can rely on alliance solidarity, and this is the reason why we do have all plans in place to protect and defend Turkey but for reasons you understand very well we can’t go into details on that. …”

3. Wide of news conference

AP TELEVISION

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Philip Hammond, British defence minister:

(About BAE and EADS merger deal)

“I think the companies now have a very clear understanding of the positions and the red lines of the governments involved.”

5. Wide exterior of NATO headquarters in Brussels …

The comments by NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen were the strongest show of support to Turkey since the firing began Wednesday.

Translated from Dutch NOS TV today:

“Terrible, dangerous and very worrying”. That is what MPs from VVD, D66 and ChristenUnie

These three political parties are in the present four-party Dutch right-wing government coalition. Often, they are slavishly pro-NATO and pro-Pentagon.

say, now that the US American government is giving Turkey free rein to attack the Kurds in northern Syria.

The consequences cannot be foreseen, says D66 MP Sjoerd Sjoerdsma. “The Kurds helped defeat ISIS. An attack by Turkey is unheard of.” …

According to the MPs, Europe must do everything in its power to prevent the Turkish offensive. …

Sanctions

The Kurds warn that a Turkish invasion can lead to a revival of ISIS in Syria. “Kurds and other minorities are being sacrificed to appease Turkey’s desire for expansion,” tweets ChristenUnie MP Joel Voordewind. Voordewind wants a quick debate with Minister Blok to discuss what Europe can do to prevent a Turkish offensive.

D66 MP Sjoerdsma believes that sanctions should possibly be imposed against Turkey, even though it is not customary to take such steps against an ally. Turkey is a member of NATO.