"NL shouldn't pay security costs in US" 02/10/2007 00:00

2 October 2007

THE HAGUE – Freedom party PVV leader Geert Wilders doesn't think the Netherlands should foot the bill for Ayaan Hirsi Ali's security in the US. If someone settles abroad he says it is "absurd to expect the Netherlands to continue to pay forever."

Wilders, who himself has been under protection for years because of death threats against him, said this on Tuesday. His comments come in response to Hirsi Ali's return to the Netherlands after the government decided to stop paying for her security costs in the US.

Wilders says it is justified however that Hirsi Ali be given protection while here in the Netherlands. He also thinks it reasonable that after her departure to the US a transitional arrangement was in place which was financed by the Netherlands.

"I am very concerned about her protection. But the Netherlands' responsibility is not never-ending," the PVV faction leader said. If Wilders himself were to decide to live abroad he would not consider the Netherlands responsible for the costs of his security there either.

Like many other factions Wilders too wants clarification from the government on Hirsi Ali's return. He says an emergency debate on the matter, what GroenLinks was urging for, is not necessary. Wilders thinks the responsible ministers should first indicate in a letter what the state of affairs is and what agreements have been made.

Friends and acquaintances of Ayaan Hirsi Ali said on Tuesday they had not yet spoken with her.

Hirsi Ali's spokesperson did not respond on Tuesday.

[Copyright Expatica News + ANP 2007]

Subject: Dutch news