🚀 go-pugleaf

Date: Thu, 24 Apr 1997 17:40:28 GMT
From: Foundation Innu Support Group <innusuppnl@gn.apc.org>
Subject: Dutch LLF debate update X


The Hague (NL), April 24, 1997

"Volkskrant" front page:

"F16's continue low-level flying above indian territory."

ANP, The Hague, April 16, 1997

"During the coming ten years the Netherlands Royal Air Force is allowed to
do low-level flight exercises above east-Canada, among others in the area
of the Innu-indians in Labrador and Quebec. On Tuesday, a majority of the
parliament was in favor of the extension of the low-level flight agreement
with Cana- da. Only the Green Left party was principal opposed the
flights.

The Chamber recognized that the flights are inconvenient for the Innu-
Indians, but at the same time concluded that there are no alternatives at
hand. The flights are meant to avoid radar. PvdA, VVD, D66 and Green Left
want The Hague and Ottawa to do everything to avoid nuisance for the Innu
and limit the environmental damage."

The debate regarding the Dutch/Canadian Low-Level Flight Agreement in the
Lower House (the Second Chamber of Parlia- ment) took place on April 15.
As expected a majority of the parties were in favor.

On April 22 the official vote took place. 12 Parties were in favor, 2
parties against (Green Left (6 members) and SP (Soci- alist Party, 2
members).

We can look at the result in two ways:

* It is very disappointing that the parliament renewed the agreement after
a campaign since Augustus 1986.

* The parliament recognized that there is nuisance for the Innu and will
follow the developments regarding the block- avoidance and the Monitoring
Institute. There is now more public awareness that the Netherlands are
exporting their low-level flights. At least a parliamental debate took
place.  It is a long and winding road.

The Foundation Innu Support Group will now reconsider its future. For
another 10 years we can not campaign against low-level flights in the same
way. We will continue our sup- port for the Innu. Of course we will inform
the Senate, which will debate about the agreement as well, about the
effects. We are thinking finally to make a photo exhibition which will
travel through the Netherlands and Europe. Probably we will work on a
broader area on Indigenous Peoples in the Arctic.  Besides that I would
like to make a start writing my book regarding The Netherlands and
Indigenous Peoples.

The Dutch parliament postponed her debate regarding the ILO-169 agreement
on Indigenous Peoples.

The Netherlands Center for Indigenous Peoples (NCIV) cancelled the
Almen-conference, the meeting for the European Support Groups for
Indigenous Peoples which was scheduled for May 1-4, because of lack of
funds.

This update was delated because of my traveling in the north of the
Netherlands with the Inuit-students of Nunavut.

Govert de Groot
coordinator
Foundation Innu Support Group NL
PO BOX 13670
NL- 2501 ER The Hague
The Netherlands
New phone and fax number: + 31 70 4020943
e-mail: innusuppnl@gn.apc.org