Skip to main content
Home

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
Image
Ronald_Plasterk_2015_(1)
Ronald Plasterk (Photo: Rijksoverheid.nl/Wikimedia Commons) - Credit: Ronald Plasterk (Photo: Rijksoverheid.nl/Wikimedia Commons)
Politics
Nature
Sint Maarten
Dutch soldiers
Hurricane Irma
Rob Verkerk
Ronald Plasterk
William Marlin
Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert
Ministry of Home Affairs
Ministry of Defence
Commander of the Armed Forces
Monday, 18 September 2017 - 13:20
Share this:
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
  • reddit

Criticism of Dutch soldiers on Sint Maarten "complete nonsense": Dutch commander, minister

Rob Verkerk, Commander of the Dutch Armed Forces, and Minister Ronald Plasterk of Home Affairs called critical statements by Sint Maarten Prime Minister William Marlin about Dutch soldiers on the island "complete nonsense". In an interview with NRC, Marlin said that Dutch soldiers did nothing to stop looting on the island after Hurricane Irma. 

"There was looting, the marines watched and did nothing", Marlin said, according to NRC.

"What complete nonsense", Verkerk said on Twitter. "My people acted properly within the limits of their capabilities from the beginning."

Minister Plasterk also denounced the criticism. "It's nonsense", Plasterk said to broadcaster NOS. "Dutch aid workers did a very good job, including in enforcement, while that was a task of the local police. If the Dutch had not been there, the humanitarian disaster would be much bigger." Plasterk added that he called Prime Minister Marlin on Sunday night, and he denied giving the interview with NRC. "Very strange, I won't comment further on this."

Defense Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert also told NOS that the Dutch soldiers did excellent work on Sint Maarten. 

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • Shooter in McDonald's double killing claims victims were extorting him
  • Dutch fashion designer's suitcase of fashion show clothes stranded at Schiphol
  • 1 in 8 young people in certain neighborhoods risks becoming drug criminal
  • House fire in Waalwijk apartment sends 3 to hospital
  • NS presents new, fast intercity train
  • Logistics companies warn of delay due to farmers protest

Top stories

  • House fire in Waalwijk apartment sends 3 to hospital
  • NS presents new, fast intercity train
  • Logistics companies warn of delay due to farmers protest
  • Dutch Central Bank and province of Noord-Holland apologize for historic roles in slavery
  • Schiphol and Eindhoven Airport prepare for farmer protests, traffic blockades
  • Fmr. Dutch national football coach accuses colleagues of rape

© 2012-2022, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Partner content