Conscription favoured by outgoing commander 16/04/2008 00:00

General Berlijn, who hands over command on Thursday, says he can see advantages of re-introducing compulsory military service.

16 April 2008

THE NETHERLANDS - To mark his departure, outgoing Dutch Armed Forces Commander Dick Berlijn has given a radio interview in which he said he can see the advantages of re-introducing military service.

Since 1996, when compulsory military service was scrapped, the armed services have found it increasingly difficult to attract recruits. The general believes conscription would also help to involve young people more in society. Dutch MPs are today debating the shortage of recruits to the armed forces.

General Berlijn also argued that military missions such as that in Uruzgan province in Afghanistan need more funding. He said the armed forces were in a position of having to take money from one department to solve immediate financial crises in another.

General Berlijn hands over command of the Dutch armed forces to General Peter van Uhm on Thursday.

[Radio Netherlands / Expatica]