Russia Dissatisfied with Dutch Apologies

Russian Foreign Office spokesman Aleksandr Loekasjevits has briefed Russian media about Dutch apologies for the arrest of a Russian diplomat by Dutch policemen. He said that this cannot be considered the end of the incident. He confirmed that the Dutch had submitted a police report and added the Russian demand that “the attackers” have to be punished and the diplomat and his family have to receive reimbursement for moral and material damage. www.volkskrant.nl/vk/nl/2686/Binnenland/article/detail/3528760/2013/10/17/Rusland-herhaalt-eis-dat-aanvallers-Borodin-worden-gestraft.dhtml

Unemployment Continues to Increase

Unemployment in the Netherlands increased slightly further in September and reached 685,000, or 8.6% of the professional population. For people under the age of 25, the rate is 16.5%. Deputy Prime Minister Lodewijk Asscher said that unemployment is the greatest problem in the Netherlands at the present. www.volkskrant.nl/vk/nl/2686/Binnenland/article/detail/3528612/2013/10/17/Werkloosheid-loopt-nog-steeds-op.dhtml

Dutch Diplomat Beaten in Moscow

Dutch Deputy Ambassador in Russia Onno Elderenbosch has been beaten up by two intruders in his Moscow apartment. The diplomat was wounded. The Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Timmermans has contacted his Russian colleague and called in the Russian ambassador in The Hague. www.volkskrant.nl/vk/nl/2664/Nieuws/article/detail/3527736/2013/10/16/Nederlandse-diplomaat-mishandeld-in-Moskou.dhtml

European Council: Netherlands Negligent against Racist Chants

The Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) of the Council of Europe has concluded that the Netherlands does too little against racist chants in soccer stadiums. Also in employment seeking and the entertainment industry, racist remarks are too often accepted as normal. The ECRI said that the Netherlands has to attack racism better in its society. A racist motive in a crime must be considered an aggravating element. A national strategy is required against discrimination due to race. The commission also regrets the planned savings in projects against discrimination. It also wants the Netherlands to deal with the exportation of non-Dutch workers. The commission criticized some politicians and media which paint Islam and Muslims as well as the arrival of Eastern Europeans, as a threat to Dutch society. Furthermore, the Netherlands lacks a national policy to integrate Roma and other gypsies better into society. However, the Netherlands has made progress since the previous report from 2008. www.volkskrant.nl/vk/nl/2686/2013/article/print/detail/3527145/Nederland-laks-bij-aanpak-racistische-spreekkoren.dhtml

Hilversum: Police in no Hurry to Deal with Moroccan Violence

More than a year ago, four Moroccans severely bludgeoned a youngster without provocation. The suspects are known and one of them has a DNA match. The police have not finished the investigation yet and the suspects are still free. The brother of the victim, Labor Party member of the municipality Saami Akrouh, said that the police have stated for four months already, that they need another month to finish the investigation. He added that confidence in the police has disappeared. The police say that the violence was not life-threatening and thus other matters take priority. Akrouh said the family was told at the hospital at the time, “one should prepare for the worst.” The suspects also shouted, “Cut him down, kill him.” www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/21962133/__Weinig_haast_zwaar_geweld__.html

IMF Foresees Major Dutch Budget Deficit in 2015

The IMF expects that the Dutch government budget deficit will decline this year to 3% and next year will be 3.2%. From 2015, a strong increase will be expected to 4.8%. This means that the Netherlands will have in that year, the largest budget deficit together with Spain, in the European Union. In Spain however, the budget deficit is meant to decline, while in the Netherlands in 2018, will still be 4.4%. Also, the Dutch government debt will increase from 75% of GDP to 83% in 2018. In Germany, France and Italy, there will be a decline of the government debt of the GDP. www.volkskrant.nl/vk/nl/2680/Economie/article/detail/3525034/2013/10/10/IMF-ziet-sterke-stijging-begrotingstekort-Nederland.dhtml

Netherlands Apologizes to Russia

Minister Frans Timmermans (Labor) has offered apologies on behalf of the Dutch government for the arrest of Russian diplomat Borodin. Borodin the diplomat and his wife were arrested last Saturday and taken to a police station. His wife had been arrested with her car because while she was drunk, she drove into three parked cars. This happened after Borodin, heavily drunk himself, had dragged his children by their hair through his home and garden. His wife had been involved in car accidents while drunk on various occasions. On the basis of police information, Timmermans had come to the conclusion that the Treaty of Vienna had been broken by the Netherlands, under which diplomats have full immunity. Borodin claimed that he had been beaten by policemen. www.volkskrant.nl/vk/nl/2664/Nieuws/article/detail/3524204/2013/10/09/Excuses-aan-Rusland-om-arrestatie-diplomaat-Borodin.dhtml