Volkel, January 18th 2003 - An international team of weapons inspectors was denied access to the NATO airforce base (AFB) of Volkel in the Netherlands which is suspected to harbor a stockpile of illegal US weapons of mass destruction. The Dutch authorities ruled that weapons inspectors coming within 5 meters of the military fence to be arrested immediately. 104 citizens inspectors who persisted in attempts to accomplish their mission were arrested and treated as criminals, according to one of the spokespersons. After being released last night the inspectors are preparing a detailed report to be delivered next week to all the members of the UN Security Council. The report promises to give overwhelming evidence of non-cooperation and the repression by Dutch authorities concerning the illegal stockpile of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) on its territory.

According to non-confirmed reports eleven US B-61 tactical nuclear bombs are deployed at this Dutch airforce base. None of the military personnel wanted to cooperate and answer any of the questions of the inspectors, stating they had received the order not to talk to any civilian. Also the Dutch police officers complied with the order of secrecy. However at times they also admitted they did not have any knowledge nor access themselves to this sensitive and classified information.

After the arrest the inspectors were handled as cattle in a freezing warehouse inside the NATO base being searched, photographed and stripped of pens, notepads, portables, food, etc. "We are being treated as criminals" declared one of the inspectors. "A similar attitude towards the UN inspectors in Iraq would immediately generate massive bombings by the US and the UK. We will report and condemn the use of double standards towards Weapons of Mass Destruction by the UN Security Council. For the security of humanity we urge the UN General Assembly to reform and stop the council being hijacked by the national interests of the US and the other permanent members".

In the past both members of Parliament and citizen groups in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and the UK have been denied any official information about these WMD which are in breach with international humanitarian law as well as with Article I and Article II of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. On July 8th 1996 the International Court of Justice of The Hague ruled that the use or threat to use nuclear weapons is generally contrary to the rules of international law. The Court also confirmed unanimously that there exists a legal obligation for the US, UK, France, Russia and China to negotiate a global disarmament treaty banning all nuclear weapons.

According to investigations of citizens groups similar WMD are deployed in NATO member states Belgium (AFB Kleine Brogel), Germany (AFB Büchel), Italy (AFB Aviano and AFB Ghedi Torre), UK (AFB Lakenheath) and Turkey (AFB Inçirlik). The use of double standards by the US is clearly illustrated in Turkey where US planes are today preparing to take off to bomb Iraq because of its possible production and possession of WMD. "This situation is ludicrous. Of course we need inspectors to search for accurate information concerning WMD in Iraq. However it is unjust not to have the same transparency nor disarmament program when we talk about WMD in the democratic states. By use of such double standards the US and UK looses all credibility when it threatens Iraq with war and a change of regime. Will we now threaten the Netherlands with a massive bombing campaign? There is therefore no justification to go to war against Iraq".

Download Inspection Report (400k, .pdf)

Press Release 27/1/2003

Friends of the Earth Flanders & Brussels (formerly For Mother Earth) is a member of Friends of the Earth International