This item is available on the Militant Islam Monitor website, at http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/448
Politician Hirsi Ali complains about having hiding and reveals whereabouts to the media 'in protest'
February 18, 2005
MIM: While the Dutch government debates anti terrorism strategies, the radical Islamists are effectively laying siege to Dutch democracy and holding politicians 'hostage'. According to Dutch security sources (the AIVD) there are 150 known 'radical Islamists' who are under surveillance in Holland, but have not yet been put in preventive detention. Apparently, it is easier, and preferable, for the Dutch government to put their politicians under lock and key than to arrest the terrorists. (Perhaps out of fear of having at complaint filed against them at one of the newly established taxpayer funded Islamophobia registration centers ) . http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/364 Last week it was revealed that politician Geert Wilders,who received death threats, is living in a jail cell in an old army base ‘for his own security'. This evidence of the Dutch government's inability and unwillingness to take legal steps to deal with radical Islamist terrorism, will embolden the Islamist whose threats against Wilders appear to have succeeded, for the moment at least, in scuttling Wilders attempts to start a new political party with an anti Islamisation agenda. Wilders recently returned from a trip abroad which included stops in Israel and the US, where he met with politicians and academics, such as Dr.Daniel Pipes, to discuss the threat of radical Islam in Holland. In contrast to the jail cell where he now resides in Holland, Wilders was accomodated at the Dutch ambassador's residence in Washington for 'security reasons'. Geert Wilders ,who left the VVD to form a new political party ‘Group Wilders', is now effectively under arrest and being held hostage to terrorism. He has been living in hiding since the murder of Theo van Gogh and is on a ‘hit list' of Dutch politicians which was placed on a slew of internet Jihadi sites, offering rewards for his beheading and views of a video of his mock decapitation. . Wilders situation makes it impossible for him set up a new political party, while it is business as usual for radical Islamists in Last week Islamists in Holland announced the formation of a new Muslim Democratic Party, and the shari'a law they are advocating seems to be making itself felt by default even before the national elections by the ‘incarceration ‘ of Wilders and political colleague Ayaan Hirsi Ali. http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/439 In a bizarre twist, ex Muslim Hirsi Ali (who herself has expressed support for a Muslim political party), is complaining about the conditions under which she has to live despite being more or less 'in hiding' since 2002, It was Ali who went public with the location of her and Wilders hideouts "out of fear that they would be found out by others". The newest revelation by Hirsi Ali , and her questionable justification for her disclosures, is grist for the mill of critics who have accused her of being an insatiable publicity hound. Her supporters say she was right to complain about their situation, and demand the government come up with a long term plan to ensure her (and Wilders) safety. Update: 2/20/05 : Although fellow party member Wilders seconded her statements criticising their 'safe house arrangements',Dutch Prime Minister Balkenende and Justice Minister Donner said they are "very unhappy with Hirsi Ali's disclosures".Balkende said in a radio program that he "Found it hard to believe that she had revealed her hiding place", and said that " the security arrangements, should not become grounds for public discussion". Hirsi Ali commented that she felt Balkende was telling her "she only had herself to blame" for her situation, and insisted that the House have a discussion 'about the security arrangements for threatened politicians". A vice chairwoman of the party called Ali's 'performance' "awkward", and a House member commented; "I can appreciate the her difficult situation but her comments won't make it any better". In 2002 Ali angered her ex fellow Muslims by calling Islam a "backward religion" and referring to Mohammed as a pedofile" while serving as a VVD member of the Lower House. The resulting death threats necessitated Ali' s being accompanied everywhere by body guards, which could explain why the government, and some politicians,( including those from her own party), criticised her going public about security arrangements as being counterproductive. For his part, Geert Wilders commented in the NRC Handelsblad that he "totally agreed with what Hirsi Ali said," and described his 'isolated conditions in the jail cell' as "almost unlivable". He said that he found that Minister Donner did not have a "good understanding" of his and Ali's situation. "I wouldn't wish this on anyone. But for the sake of comphrehesion there would be nothing wrong with his having a better view of what we are going through ".(see article below). http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/377 It is worth noting that Ali has had very little to say about the murder of Theo van Gogh, who made the film for which she wrote the screenplay, and who had no protection. Radical Islamists have themselves said that they murdered Van Gogh because they were unable to' get at her'.Fellow party members have complained that that Ali's criticisms of Islam polarised Muslims instead of encouraging moderates to emerge. While her views and critique of Islam are valid, one cannot help but wonder whether Ali would have been so vocal had she not enjoyed the protection afforded her by her political position, or have made the film Submission without having her phalanx of body guards to rely upon for security. The ongoing 'Rushdie Affair', which is the case of self professed ex Muslim who has been living under the threat of death since the 1970's when he criticised Islam in his book 'The Satanic Verses', is proof that Ali's situation is not unique and her decision to remain in the spotlight is one that involves 'professional risk'. Ali has intimated that her statements against Islam have caused the government to consider her both as a personal and political liability, and they are trying to keep her out of the public eye under the guise of security concerns. She has also been criticised by her own party members who said she should tone down her comments as they were were not compatible with their tolerant political platform. It could be argued that Ali misused her political position to air religous disagreements of a personal nature, which had consequences for her colleagues. (Her criticism of Islam seemed to be a cross between legitimate political demands for reform and closure of extremist mosques and a public waging of her own personal vendetta as a self professed ex Muslim. After Theo van Gogh's murder Ali announced she was 'writing a book to help Muslims find the moderation in Islam. (It is virtually certain that someone with no theological background, who called Mohammed a pedofile, will not be given much heed as a role model for Muslims in Holland looking to reform Islam.) Short of leaving Holland permanently and changing her appearence, there is no such thing as complete security. Geert Wilders situation,which involves his family's security means that most likely he will not be able to lead a 'normal life' if he remains in Holland. The risk that public figures run was seen this week by the assassination of the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, who was blown up with members of his entourage on a busy street in Beirut despite having every form of security that money could buy. (After Theo van Gogh's murder in November Ali fled the country. It was later disclosed that she had been flown by military jet to the U.S. and was given a hero's welcome upon her return. She was also voted "Dutch person of the year" in 2004). Most disconcerting are Ali's complaints that 'being a House member is a stressful existence. I can't come home like other House members on the weekend and think about R&R.' It seems that Ali has forgotten fellow (ex) Muslim Rushdie (who still lives in semi seclusion after fleeing to the US), and the fact that politicians all over the world live under the threat of being targetted. Which brings to mind Ronald Reagan's famous statement; "If you can't take the heat- stay out of the kitchen" It's time that the friends of Theo van Gogh, who are continuing his work at great risk to their personal security, remind Ali that as a result of making her film he is never going to 'have the luxury' of going home to his son and parents, and that they themselves are having to live without bodyguards or protection of any kind. War is indeed hell ,and Ali's location at a Marine base indicates that after endangering Geert Wilders by revealing their security arrangements to the media , she herself at least, need not be advised to ' tell it to the Marines'. As for the Dutch government's security arrangements, one wonders when the leader of the Groep Wilders political party, who is now living in a jail cell for his own safety, will be replaced by the radical Islamists whose freedom necessitates his confinement . http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/400 ------------------------------------------------- Wilders living in cell, Hirsi Ali on a Marine base Translated by Beila Rabinowitz director MIM Feb. 18, 2005 ANP The two Lower House members Wilders (Groep Wilders), and Hirsi Ali (WWD), have been living in a jail cell in Camp Zeist (an army base) and on a heavily guarded marine base in Amsterdam. This was reported on Friday in the NRC Handelsblad. The chairman of the Lower House, Weisglas, said via a spokesman that he would not "confirm nor deny" the report. Weisglas added that he finds that the government must find normal housing for the two House members as soon as possible. The House chairman had said last month that it was "the duty of the government" to ensure that the two House members could live a normal life. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MIM: This is the original report from the NRC Handelsblad cited in the Volkskrant article above: Wilders 'living' in Zeist prison Translated by Beila Rabinowitz director MIM Lower House member Geert Wilders who was threatened with death has been housed for months at Camp Zeist prison due to security considerations. He sleeps in a cell. Hirsi Ali, who like Wilders, is also living under threat has been housed at the heavily guarded marine base in Amsterdam. Hirsi Ali herself made this public. She wanted to protest against the conditions in which she and Wilders are being housed. Wilders did not want to comment. "I want to live in a place which is known by everyone. A threatened House member is living there and he or she is safe there. Thats the way it is in the US and Israel, and also in Italy and Spain." Ali experiences it as very unjust and frightening to have to live in a secret location. According to her the right to "freely engage in politics" is the basis of the security philosophy of Minister Donner and the National Coordinator of Surveillance and Security and must be adhered to. In the words of Hirsi Ali; the philosophy now is that "the person who is threatened has to be hidden away". According to Hirsi Ali the goverment is unintentionally working with my enemies to subvert me: "from threats to concrete murder plans". The threatened Lower House members were not informed about the nature and the seriousness of the threats.* Hirsi Ali herself emphasizes the fact that the situation no longer temporary.In 2002 she had to leave her house due to threats. House chairman Weisglas has also protested against the lack of living quarters for Hirsi Ali and Wilders. "We have known for the past four months that this might be going on for a long time." "The minister should have been quicker in finding an acceptable long term solution". Weisglas also emphasized that he had not made "an announcement of any kind", regarding the locations of Hirsi Ali and Wilders. The proposal was put to Wilders that he should remain in the Zeist prison until he could find a permanent living quarters. Five years ago the same jail served as the detention facilty for two Libyan suspects in the airplane attack above the Scottish village of Lockerbie. After the Lockerbie trial the former Zeist military camp was rebuilt into a prison. It is now primarily used to detail for drug couriers and 'mules' who are detained at Schiphol (the airport). Now there are also illegal foreigners and others who were arrested. Hirsi Ali confirmed that she was not sucessful in getting the NCCB to agree to a permanent place to live . "Their view is that is must be a secret address without a view, a house where no one sees you. Then you run the risk that if your address is discovered you must leave again." Last month House chairman Weisglas said to this paper that the government has an obligation to ensure that the House members could lead a normal life. "Your work as member of parliament suffers if you have to be brought every night to a different location",he had stated. Hirsi Ali confirms that her work is being hindered."Being a House member is a stressfull existence". And I don't have the luxury that other House members have of being able to come home and say "lets do something else for a change". I am prepared to invest a lot in public life but this is disproportionate". "I have no freedom". ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
http://www.volkskrant.nl/denhaag/printversie/1108707472220.html vrijdag 18 februari 2005 uur. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wilders woont in cel, Hirsi Ali op marinekamp | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ANP | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
DEN HAAG - De met de dood bedreigde Tweede-Kamerleden Wilders (Groep Wilders) en Hirsi Ali (VVD) zijn ondergebracht in respectievelijk een gevangeniscel op Kamp Zeist en op het zwaar bewaakte marineterrein in Amsterdam. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dat meldt NRC Handelsblad vrijdag. Voorzitter Weisglas van de Tweede Kamer laat via een woordvoerder weten het bericht te kunnen 'bevestigen noch ontkennen'. Weisglas voegt eraan toe dat hij vindt dat de overheid meer haast moet maken met het zoeken van een zo normaal mogelijke huisvesting voor de twee Kamerleden. De Kamervoorzitter noemde het vorige maand al 'de plicht van de overheid' om te zorgen dat Kamerleden een normaal leven kunnen leiden. --------------------------------------------------- Wilders 'woont' in gevangenis Zeist http://www.nrc.nl/binnenland/artikel/1108707330960.html Door onze redacteuren René Moerland en Frank Vermeulen DEN HAAG, 18 FEBR. Het met de dood bedreigde Tweede-Kamerlid Geert Wilders is uit veiligheidsoverwegingen al maanden ondergebracht in de gevangenis Kamp Zeist. Hij overnacht in een cel. Het eveneens bedreigde Kamerlid Ayaan Hirsi Ali (VVD) verblijft op het zwaar bewaakte marineterrein in Amsterdam.
Dit brengt Hirsi Ali vandaag zelf in de openbaarheid. Zij wil daarmee protesteren tegen de omstandigheden waaronder zij en Wilders in het geheim zijn gehuisvest. Wilders wil niet reageren. Hirsi Ali maakt deze geheime locaties bekend ,,uit angst dat het door anderen ontdekt wordt. Ik wil wonen op een plek waarvan iedereen weet: daar woont een bedreigd Kamerlid en daar is hij of zij veilig. Zo gaat het ook in landen als de VS en Israël, maar ook in Italië en Spanje." Hirsi Ali ervaart het als ,,zeer onrechtvaardig en heel aangrijpend" op geheime locaties te moeten leven. Volgens haar is ,,het grondrecht om vrij politiek te bedrijven" in het geding door de veiligheidsfilosofie die minister Donner en de Nationaal Coördinator Bewaking en Beveiliging (NCBB) hanteren. In de woorden van Hirsi Ali is die filosofie ,,dat degene die bedreigd wordt, weggestopt moet worden". Volgens Hirsi Ali werkt de overheid daarmee ,,onbedoeld in de hand dat mijn tegenstanders alles op alles zetten om mij dwars te zitten: van bedreiging tot concrete moordplannen." De bedreigde Kamerleden worden overigens zelf niet geïnformeerd over de aard en ernst van de bedreigingen. Hirsi Ali onderstreept dat de situatie al lang niet meer tijdelijk is. Zij moest al in september 2002 haar eigen huis verlaten wegens bedreigingen. Ook Kamervoorzitter Weisglas protesteert tegen het ontbreken van vaste woonruimte voor Hirsi Ali en Wilders. ,,We weten al vier maanden, sinds november, dat dit waarschijnlijk lang gaat duren. De minister had meer haast moeten maken met het vinden van een acceptabele langetermijnoplossing." Weisglas onderstreept overigens ,,geen enkele mededeling" te doen over de verblijfplaatsen van Hirsi Ali en Wilders. Hirsi Ali bevestigt dat het haar niet lukt met de NCBB tot overeenstemming te komen over een vaste woonplaats. ,,Hun uitgangpunt is dat het een geheim adres moet zijn, zonder uitzicht, een huis waarin niemand je ziet. Dan heb je dus altijd het risico dat je weer weg moet als het ontdekt wordt." Het Kamerlid Wilders is voorgehouden dat hij tot september in de gevangenis in Zeist moet wonen voordat hij eigen woonruimte kan krijgen. Vijf jaar geleden diende deze gevangenis als huis van bewaring voor de twee Libische verdachten van de aanslag op een vliegtuig boven het Schotse plaatsje Lockerbie. Na de Lockerbie-processen is het voormalige militaire kamp-Zeist omgebouwd tot gevangenis. In eerste instantie diende deze als detentie-inrichting voor op Schiphol opgepakte drugskoeriers en bolletjesslikkers. Inmiddels zitten er ook aangehouden vreemdelingen, en arrestanten. Kamervoorzitter Weisglas noemde het vorige maand in deze krant een ,,plicht van de overheid" ervoor te zorgen dat Kamerleden een normaal leven kunnen leiden. ,,Als je elke avond naar een andere plek gebracht wordt waar je niet thuis bent, komt dat je werk als parlementariër niet ten goede", zei hij toen. Hirsi Ali bevestigt dat haar werk onder druk staat. ,,Kamerlid zijn is een stressvol bestaan. En ik heb niet als andere Kamerleden dat je in het weekeinde thuiskomt en kan zeggen: even wat anders. Ik ben bereid veel te investeren in het publieke leven, maar dit is niet proportioneel. Ik heb geen vrijheid." ----------------------------------------------------- Wilders: Stay at Camp Zeist "almost unlivable" Translated by Beila Rabinowitz director MIM The Lower House member Geert Wilders who was threatened with death regards his isolated stay in the jail at Camp Zeist as "almost unlivable". He said this today in the NRC Handelsblad. Wilders aligned himself with the protest of Hirsi Ali (VVD)who, like him, was also threatened and revealed the secret hiding places of herself and Wilders. "I stand completely behind what Hirsi Ali said" Prime Minister Balkenende (CDA) and Justice Minister Donner (CDA) said that they were very unhappy about the disclosures by Hirsi Ali . Donner who is responsible for the security of threatened politicians, finds that in all cases one must exercise discretion when it comes to making announcements about their security arrangements. Balkende said yesterday that he found it "almost not to be believed" that Ali had publicised their hiding places. He said this on a radio program yesterday "With An Eye for Tommorrow" he said that he was always concerned with the safety of the threatened House members as well as others. He did not want to go into details. "Don;t make the security arrangements should not be the subject of public discussion." according to Balkenende. Hirsi Ali sharply criticised the attitude of Balkenende. "In it I read "its your own fault" she said. Hirsi Ali wants a House debate to clarify the situation, and who is responsible for the arrangements. "By demanding that action be taken, I am protecting Balkende and Donner, she said. If there is a House debate, whatever happens, then no one will be blamed",. she said. Wilders finds that Donner does not really understand the situation of himself and Hirsi Ali.I wouldn't wish it on anyone. But for understanding's sake there would be nothing wrong with his having a better view of what we are going through ". VVD chairperson and colleague Bibi de Vries called Hirsi Alis performance "awkward" and said that "Now her security is even more at risk and that couldnt have been her intention".according to De Vries. Fraction chairman Van Aartsen is presently on vacation . CDA Fraction chairman Bos asked himself if Hirsi Ali had acted sensibly."I appreciate her situation, but her comments did nothing to improve it", he said via a spokesman. According to House member Van Haersma Buma (CDA) the new developments "will do nothing to contribute to the solution". Fraction chairman Halsema from Green Left wants a House Commission for Safety an Security to meet soon in which matters regarding the services of the AIVD (The General Intelligence and Security Services) will be discussed and questions about these matters will be clarified. ---------------------------------------------------- http://www.nrc.nl/binnenland/artikel/1108707902377.html Wilders: verblijf in Kamp Zeist is bijna onleefbaar DEN HAAG, 19 FEBR. Het met de dood bedreigde Tweede-Kamerlid Geert Wilders beschouwt zijn geïsoleerde verblijf in de gevangenis Kamp Zeist als ,,bijna niet leefbaar". Dat zegt hij vandaag in NRC Handelsblad.
Wilders schaart zich achter het protest van het eveneens bedreigde Kamerlid Ayaan Hirsi Ali (VVD), die gisteren de geheime schuilplaatsen van haar en Wilders onthulde. ,,Ik onderschrijf volledig wat Ayaan zegt." Premier Balkenende (CDA) en minister Donner (Justitie, CDA) gaven gisteren aan ongelukkig te zijn met de onthullingen van Hirsi Ali. Donner, die verantwoordelijk is voor de beveiliging van bedreigde politici, vindt dat in alle gevallen terughoudendheid past bij het doen van mededelingen over aspecten van persoonsbeveiliging. Hij zegt wel begrip te hebben ,,voor de moeilijke situatie waarin personen verkeren die permanent worden beveiligd". Balkenende vindt ,,het haast niet te geloven" dat Hirsi Ali zelf haar onderduikadres heeft geopenbaard. Tegenover het radioprogramma Met het oog op morgen zei hij gisteravond dat hij altijd grote zorg heeft gehad over de veiligheid van de bedreigde Kamerleden en anderen. Inhoudelijk wil hij er niet op ingaan. ,,Laat de beveiliging geen bron zijn van een publieke discussie", aldus Balkenende. Hirsi Ali heeft scherpe kritiek op de afhoudende reactie van Balkenende. ,,Daarin lees ik de vooronderstelling: eigen schuld, dikke bult", zegt zij. Hirsi Ali wil in een Kamerdebat duidelijkheid krijgen over de maatregelen voor bedreigde politici, en welke bewindspersonen daarvoor verantwoordelijk zijn. ,,Door daar op aan te sturen, neem ik Balkenende en Donner in bescherming", zegt zij. ,,Want wat er ook uitkomt, als er een breed gedragen Kameruitspraak is, krijgt niemand straks de zwarte Piet." Wilders vindt dat minister Donner de situatie van hemzelf en Hirsi Ali niet goed begrijpt. ,,Ik gun het niemand, maar voor het begrip zou het niet verkeerd zijn als hij beter in de gaten zou krijgen wat Ayaan en ik doormaken." Hirsi Ali's partijgenoot en vice-fractievoorzitter van de VVD, Bibi de Vries, zei gisteren het optreden van Hirsi Ali ,,onhandig" te vinden. ,,Nu is haar veiligheid nog meer in het geding en dat kan toch niet de bedoeling zijn", aldus De Vries. Fractieleider Van Aartsen is momenteel met vakantie. Ook PvdA-fractievoorzitter Bos vraagt zich af of Hirsi Ali verstandig heeft geopereerd. ,,Ik heb begrip voor haar moeilijke situatie, maar die wordt er met haar opmerkingen niet beter op", zegt hij via een woordvoerder. Volgens Kamerlid Van Haersma Buma (CDA) dragen de nieuwe ontwikkelingen ,,op geen enkele manier bij aan een oplossing". Fractievoorzitter Halsema van GroenLinks wil binnenkort in de Kamercommissie voor Inlichtingen- en Veiligheidsdiensten, waarin zaken rondom diensten als de AIVD worden besproken, het kabinet om opheldering over deze kwestie vragen. 19 februari 20 -------------------------------------------------------------- MIM: Hirsi Ali says she "will settle for a house with a garden or terrace" sp that "I do not want an extra column of guards to be drummed up every time Ms. Hirsi Ali wants to sit in the sun". Perhaps Hirsi Ali could use her time in the sun to think up a political platform which involves more then just 'being' an ex Muslim. Greater urgency in search of secure housing for MPs ------------------------------------ MIM: It appears that Hirsi Ali has just as much disregard for the safety of her security personal and colleagues as she did for that of the safety of Theo van Gogh. Hirsi Ali endangered others - Donner (Justice minister) Translated by Beila Rabinowitz director MIM Cabinet member Hirsi Ali who was threatened with death has not only put herself and Geert Wilders (Groep Wilders) in danger she also endangered her security personeel. Minister Donner wrote this on Thursday in a letter to the Lower House. He said he deeply regretted that Hirsi Ali had revealed her hiding place. According to Donner there was no reason to do that because he has been working together for months with both House members to find permanent and secure housing. This was very difficult in light of the nature of the security requirements. Hirsi Ali had revealed the hiding places last week in the NRC Handelsblad in protest at the conditions in which she and House member Geert Wilders were living in secret. Ali said she wants to live somewhere where everyone knows a threatened House member is living in a guarded residence. After the murder of filmmaker Theo van Gogh Ali received urgent advice to leave her home. She then chose to stay for several months abroad. Before she returne, according to Donner a temporary safe house had been arranged. Ali had categorically refused this, wrote the minister. She then remained in a safehouse, and told Donner that she was satisfied with that until she could be given a permanent house. At her request the National Coordinator for Safety and Security NCBB did not go looking for a temporary residence. The NCBB has announced that they have been looking for permanent housing solutions but 'it should be clear that personal wishes and security considerations are not always compatible". http://www.volkskrant.nl/denhaag/1109055266493.html
|
This item is available on the Militant Islam Monitor website, at http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/448