Dutch PM clashes with MP over Russia: Stop playing politics with MH17
Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte clashed with CDA parliamentarian Pieter Omtzigt on the subject of the political relationship with Russia and the MH17 investigation in parliament on Wednesday. Rutte told Omtzigt to think about whether he wants to keep making "a political number out of MH17", or if he'd rather have the "bastards" responsible convicted, RTL Nieuws reports.
The two debated about radar images of the disaster from Russia. The Dutch Public Prosecutor requested them from Russia in October 2014, but still hasn't received any useful information. Such a request is made through te Dutch government.
Omtzigt wanted Rutte to explain why those radar images, important evidence in the investigation, still haven't been delivered. "Also because the Dutch government writes in its documents that the whole international community works well together. Is this good cooperation?" he said, according to the broadcaster.
The remark did not sit well with Rutte. "There is always such, and this annoys me so, an undertone from Mr. Omtzigt. As if the Dutch government thinks: we should not interfere now because we are interested in a good relationship with Russia or Ukraine." According to Rutte, his only priority is uncovering all the facts. "I have only one interest. The relationship with those countries can rot as long as it stands in the way of the prosecution of the perpetrators of the MH17 crash."
He accused Omtzigt of using the disaster to further his political goals. "I think Mr. Omtzigt should really decide for himself whether he wants to keep making a political number of MH17, or if he wants us to ever reach a conclusion and hopefully also a condemnation of the bastards who did this." Rutte said.
