Dutch ambassador discusses effects of global terrorism

David Kihara

Tuesday, June 7, 2005 | 9:44 a.m.

The global war on terrorism and incidents within the Netherlands, such as the killing of a filmmaker by a Muslim extremist, has forced the Western European country to re-examine how it balances security and civil liberties, the Dutch ambassador to the United states said on Monday.

"If you want to secure a society where every individual is 100 percent secure 100 percent of the time, then I am afraid you will have to diminish your liberties," said Boudewijn van Eenennaam, speaking at the Four Seasons Hotel. "In that balance, I think we will be prepared to accept a little less than 100 percent."

Van Eenennaam was in Las Vegas for 2 1/2 days to discuss business and tourism opportunities with business and civic leaders. He was scheduled to leave Las Vegas today and return to Washington.

He came at the invitation of the Las Vegas World Affairs Council, a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that attempts to build a better understanding of world affairs.

The Netherlands has for years enjoyed a reputation as a tolerant Western European country. But incidents in the Netherlands, such as an increase in Muslim immigrants and the recent high-profile killing of filmmaker Theo van Gogh in November in Amsterdam by a Muslim radical, has transformed the country.

After van Gogh's killing, Mosques and Islamic schools were attacked in the Netherlands. Dutch churches were then attacked in retaliation.

Van Eenennaam, however, said that the relationships between Muslims and Dutch often depend on individual cases.

"A good Muslim can be a Dutchman and a good Dutchman can be a Muslim," he said.

The Dutch government has recently begun to crack down on immigration, van Eenennam said, in part as a reaction to the influx of Muslims and as a security measure. Immigrants were also previously not required to learn the Dutch language, but that too has changed, he said.

There are about 920,000 Muslims in the Netherlands, out of a total 16 million population, according to news reports. Many of the Muslims come from Turkey or Morocco.

During his visit in Las Vegas, van Eenennaam said he met with business leaders and others to find ways to bring more Dutch tourists to Las Vegas as well as trade and investment.

He said that he will work with the consular department of the Netherlands in Los Angeles as well as Dutch officials in Washington to facilitate economic ties with Las Vegas and the United States overall.