Dutch will not boycott Sochi Paralympics
Sports Minister, Edith Schippers, sees no reasons for boycotting the Sochi Paralympics, yet, announced her spokesperson. Schippers is closely monitoring the developments in the Ukraine. Princess Margriet and her husband, Pieter van Vollenhoven are also planning on attending the Paralympics.
The Princess is a member of the honorary board of the International Paralympics Committee. The Dutch Intelligence Agency assures they are closely monitoring the developments. VVD MP, Hans ten Broeke, and PvdA MP, Michiel Servaes, want to wait for the results of the meeting of the European Ministers of Foreign Affairs. The MP's consider it crucial that the European countries act as one. In that light Ten Broeke regrets the British announcement that they are not going to Sochi. Schippers refers to the Dutch delegation that traveled to the winter Olympics, when critics thought it was too heavy. Mark Rutte was the only one, in the end, to discuss the human rights situation in Russia with Putin in a 45-minute meeting. "You can stay away and boycott, but I would rather choose the road of dialogue," said Schippers. The VVD and PvdA don't rule out Schippers may yet decide not to travel to Sochi.
