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Renthouse International bv Milli Görüs Feature Goodbye Gergiev AGENT FOR RENTED ACCOMMODATION The initiators In the company of a Rotterdam’s finest or- of Amsterdam’s living legend: Dick chestra says farewell to prestigious mosque Bruna, author of its beloved conductor. project linked to in- Nijntje. 020-6448751 ternational money scam. www.renthouse.nl Page 5 Page 8-9 Page 10

Hague Amsterdam Rotterdam THEControlled Circulation | Postbus 9308 | 1006TIMES AH Amsterdam | www.argopress.nl FRIDAY 9 MARCH 2007 Hengelo family drama costs three lives Coalition keeps majority in Senate ARNHEM | Police found the dead bodies of a mother and her two sons (nine and 11) in a home in Hengelo on Tuesday. The woman’s husband, an employee in a furniture factory, was brought to hospital badly injured but was released on Wed- nesday. The man has since been arrested and will be heard after this newspaper goes to print. Police suspects the man, who was found in the victims’ home, of murder or manslaughter. No weapon was found in the house but police say “something” was left behind. The boys’ school held a remembrance on Wednesday in addition to a condolences register made available by the city of Hengelo. Autopsies will be carried out on the bodies. ‘TBS clinics must improve safety’ AMSTERDAM | Indefinite rehabilitative in- carceration (TBS) clinics must, according to the Sanction Application Inspectorate (ISt), take more into account the security of their patients during treatment. The ISt says that when looking at treat- ment and security of TBS patients, especially when analysing the number of escapees, security comes in at second place. According to the ISt, security prodecures can frequently go wrong because TBS clinics do not do enough work systematically. The ISt also says that even with the after–care, the treat- ment route is often found to be more important than monitoring the TBSers’ direct security. SP MPs Arda Gerkens (left), (centre) and Krista van Velzen derive great satisfaction from the incoming results. Photo: WFA | The Socialist Party (SP) Deputies. The latter elect the 75 members of the later date and the Senate will not be elected before Women’s Day in Holland won the provincial election on Wednes- Senate. Wednesday, the Dutch voters made it clear 28 May, it has become certain that the Balkenende day and saw its amount of First Cham- that they did not change their distrust of the new IV cabinet will not lose its majority in the Senate, AMSTERDAM | Many activities took place on ber seats increase from 4 to 12. Cabinet coalition accord and the leading parties behind something that was widely feared because it could Thursday throughout the country to celebrate In- parties CDA, PvdA and ChristenUnie it. The outcome of the provincial election was a have a delaying effect on decision making. ternational Women’s Day. In The Hague, Princess kept a majority, with 41 out of 75 seats. remarkable continuation of the parliamentary Only 46.3 percent of the electorate voted on Máxima handed out the Joke Smit prize to which election in November. Then, SP and ChristenUnie Wednesday, a fraction above the low point reached has helped improve women’s positions in Holland. By Tristan van Rijn were also the big winners, while CDA and PvdA in the 1999 election. According to several polls, the Iranian women from all over the world also demon- ChristenUnie was the only successful coalition lost dramatically. voters mostly turned up in order to influence the strated for their rights. This day, which symbolises party. Party leader André Rouvoet saw his total in- Although the final results will be released on a composition of the Senate. women’s world–wide solidarity, has been celebra- crease double to four seats compared to the provin- ted in Holland since 1978. cial election of 2003. CDA lost a seat and finished at 22 seats, while PvdA was the largest loser of the Privacy board inspects Stemwijzer Permit request may be needed election again and lost four seats, bringing them to more frequently a t ot a l of 15. A n ewc o m e r i s t h e Pa r t ij vo o r d e D ie r e n AMSTERDAM | The Dutch Data Pro- political preference. (), who enter the first cham- tection Authority (CBP), which super- The watchdog has, therefore, asked the Dutch Cen- THE HAGUE | According to the Cabinet, non– ber with one seat. The political heirs of Pim For- vises the fair and lawful use and securi- tre for Political Participation (IPP), which is res- Dutch citizens who want to remain in Holland tuyn lost their only seat, while ’ PVV ty of personal data, will investigate the ponsible for the Stemwijzer, for an explanation. The should request a residence permit more than once. party was not eligible for the election. The VVD online electoral guide (Stemwijzer). CBP wants to know what happens to the information The Cabinet refused a PVV proposal stating that profited from that and saw its total neither grow nor collected by the electoral guide and why the website non–Dutch citizens could only ask for a permit drop. ’s party kept its 15 seats. By Fabienne Capostagno does not explain what happens to people’s private once. PVV leader Geert Wilders says such proposal The electorate voted for the composition of the The CBP is afraid that the interactive voting guide, records after the guide has been closed. According would prevent the non–Dutch from unnecessarily provincial councils, which have a total of 564 seats that through the use of questions about parties’ to the watchdog, it is unclear what information the staying longer in Holland. Wilders reacted with divided over 12 provinces. The councils are mainly election programmes tests political preferences, Stemwijzer keeps and how it is stored. The fear is disappointment at the decision and has asked for burdened with issues concerning spatial planning, makes people’s private records public. The Inspec- also that agencies like the Intelligence and Safety a debate regarding the case. If that should produce environment, nature and the approval of large torate was made aware by experts that the online Service (AIVD) could claim such information for no satisfactory result, the PVV will come up with projects such as the Tweede Maasvlakte project guide registers visitors’ political preferences. If investigations. IPP Deputy Director Eddy Habben another bill. He also finds it striking that the new to expand the Rotterdam harbour. They also check this is the case, the Stemwijzer would breach the Jansen, however, says that the Stemwijzer does not Cabinet has once again scrapped a PVV proposal. upon the provincial executive and the College of Personal Dat a Protection Law, that protects dat a on pass on private information to third parties. - Advertisement -

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www.oconnell.nl www.oconnell.nl 26090307__T02______126 FOR THE VERY BEST OF BRITISH IT HAS TO BE THOMAS GREEN’S - THE HAGUE - the Netherlands - All your favourite grocery brands from home are here. 2 Deliveries arrive weekly - or you can buy on our web site. As you'd expect, our customer service is second to none. So, if you want to experience a taste of home and the very 'Best of British', call into Thomas Green’s today. Thomas Green’s Where the Cabinet, Chamber face off on accord Frederik Hendriklaan 71, 2582 BT Den Haag, welcome's always Tel: 070 358 7586 warm. THE HAGUE | The new Cabinet and www. thomasgreen.nl the altered Second Chamber got a taste of each other’s intentions on Thursday, in a fierce debate on Prime Minister Suspected child abuser Balkenende’s government accord state- arrested ment earlier that day. AMSTERDAM | Military police arrested Dutch- By Tristan van Rijn man Gert V. on Tuesday in Schiphol, on suspicion The first debate of the new cabinet saw a range of of having molested children in Bangladesh. V. had sensitive topics raised by the opposition. The min- established a home near the Bengali capital Dhaka isters, new opposition parties D66 and VVD and for orpahned and disabled children. The man had the debuting party leaders (CDA), already been reported for child abuse back in 2005 (PvdA) and (Christe- and was subsequently taken away from the child- nUnie, CU) had to get used to their new roles. ren’s home. At the beginning of 2006, the Public The most controversial matter raised was the is- Prosecution Service had requested legal aid from sue of double nationality. As announced, Party Bangladesh. The suspect has been taken to Arnhem for Freedom (PVV) leader Geert Wilders issued where he will be questioned. a motion of non-confidence against the new PvdA State Secretaries, (Justice) and Antilles allow Papiamentu as Ahmed Aboutaleb (Social Affairs), for a conflict official language of interest caused by their double nationality. Al- bayrak still holds a Turkish passport and Aboutaleb WILLEMSTAD | The delegation of the Nether- has a Moroccan passport. The PVV front man said SP leader Marijnissen walks back to his seat (foreground), while ministers Donner (Social Affairs), lands Antilles this week decided that Papiamentu that “A blind man can see that double nationality Bos (Finance) and Prime Minister Balkenende prepare for the next question. Photo: WFA will be the island’s official language, in addition also means double loyalty.” advisor for the Moroccan Human Rights Council Second Chamber, it may have a better chance in to Dutch and English. Papiamentu was already Wilders fired his arrows mostly at Albayrak, who and has a double passport. Tichelaar announced the First Chamber, where the PvdA senators are not studied in schools for years, but had not been offi- can theoretically distance herself from her Turkish Friday that her function would be investigated in obligated to follow the coalition agreement. cially recognised until now. The language is a com- passport, contrary to Moroccan law, in which it is order to rule out any conflict of interest. The PvdA ChristenUnie’s negotiation achievements were bination of African dialects, Portuguese, Spanish, forbidden. He questioned the fact that Albayrak decided on the issue on Thursday, after printing also fiercely debated. Rutte and D66 leader Alex- English and Dutch. It is also spoken on the islands will have to deal with the permits of immigrants, time. Tichelaar told the press on Tuesday that his ander Pechtold criticised agreements on the medi- of Curaçao, Bonaire and Aruba. including Turks, and said that that situation is like party would most probably vote positively. cal-ethical level. The Cabinet plan to investigate “a butcher inspecting his own meat.” Afterwards, Tichelaar was asked by the leftist op- whether the ‘right to live’ can become constitution- Dutch–Moroccon men leave None of the other factions supported Wilders’ mo- position to explain the unofficial coalition agree- al is, according to Rutte, “Dutch for: no abortion women behind tion, but VVD leader Mark Rutte argued that the is- ment that the decision making process towards the and euthanasia.” The opposition also criticised the sue of double nationality should be debated at a cer- Iraq war in 2003 will not be investigated, although planned protection of municipal officials who have RABAT | Some 30 women were dumped in Mo- tain point. Prime Minister Balkenende, who called his party was a proponent of such an investigation ‘personal objections’ against gay marriage. Many rocco by their Dutch–Moroccon husbands in 2006. upon the chamber for a “constructive dialogue” when still in opposition. SP leader MPs argued that the concerning paragraph takes The Migrant Support Organisation (SSR) says the with his Cabinet during his traditional statement, said that the PvdA “made the most essential aspect the country’s liberalisation policy one step back. number of women reporting such incidents has agreed, but added that there is no doubt about the of Parliament, searching for the truth, impossible.” New Interior Minister Guusje ter Horst’s task was been steady over the years. In the Dutch embassy in integrity of the “optimally integrated” state secre- Tichelaar said that “we had to put more weight on the last large matter to be discussed. The Cabinet Rabat, in 2006, 10 reports were made from women taries. He stated that Article 3 of the Constitution, other matters. We have accepted our loss.” The SP aims at cutting 15,000 government jobs to sponsor left behind. This concerns mainly women whose which provides all citizens with the right to fulfil a and D66 will try to force the investigation through the budget. Many plans are dependent on the suc- husbands, under false excuses, take them to Moroc- public function, will not be changed. the Second Chamber, although the PvdA faction, cess of the budget cuts, but Balkenende was forced co and leave them there, usually illegally. In 2004, The issue seemed to echo towards Moroccan–born who promised to respect the government accord, to agree that no cuts be made in the police, investi- the Chamber proposed to accelerate the return of PvdA MP , who also functions as an will not support it. If the motion does not pass in gation and judicial services. women with children of Dutch nationality . - Advertisements - Google search for sunken castle - Advertisements - #BDIFMPSPG"SUT%FHSFFT >ÀÀÞ7ˆÃiÊ«ÀœÕ`ÞÊ«ÀiÃi˜ÌÃÊÌ iÊÛiÀÞÊwÊÀÃÌÊi`ˆÌˆœ˜Êœv NIJKERK | Cor Schipper, an amateur 5IF8FEEJOH&YQFSJFODF archaeologist, believes he has found a long lost submerged castle on Google Earth in the weekend.

By Andrew Balcombe Kasteel Hulckesteijn was built in 1427 and is be- lieved to have been destroyed in 1538. Cor Schipper has been looking for its ruins for the last 25 years but he is now 99% sure that his searching days are over. While scanning satellite images of the Nijker- 3FDPSEJOH"SUT kernauw canal that runs just north of Nijkerk, he spotted a 200 metre square shape under the water. BXFEEJOHFWFOUXJUIBEJGGFSFODF .VMUJNFEJB"SUT This, believes Schipper, is his long lost castle. In 1983 he used sonar equipment to scan a five ki- 'JMNNBLJOH"SUT lometre stretch of the canal’s bottom without suc- cess. On Monday, the quiet area around Nijkerk was Google satellite image of Nijkerkernauw. invaded by television and news crews hoping to see "NTUFSEBN]3PUUFSEBN if it really was the castle under the waves. suspended mud into the search area. It was not clear A scuba diver from the NOS news team plunged if ten recovered pieces of stone were from the mid- into the brown waters for a closer look with a ca- dle ages, either. mera but the silt was so thick, visibility was down Kasteel Hulckesteijn dropped off the historical to just 30 centimetres. Apparently, the wind was records when it was left outside the dyke system in blowing in the wrong direction and pushing water the 17th century and submerged. Dutch part of NATO offensive HELMAND | Dutch air support and troops are involved in the largest of- fensive by NATO ever to be carried out against the Taliban. 7iÊ ˆ˜ÛˆÌiÊ ÞœÕ]Ê vÕÌÕÀiÊ LÀˆ`iÊ >˜`Ê }Àœœ“]Ê ÌœÊ $PVSTFTBSFJO&OHMJTI iÝ«iÀˆi˜ViÊ >Ê ÌÀÕiÊ Üi``ˆ˜}‡ˆ˜‡«Àœ}ÀiÃÃ°Ê Ê By Andrew Balcombe v>ViÌÃÊ œvÊ >Ê Üi``ˆ˜}Ê ÜˆÊ LiÊ «ÀiÃi˜Ìi`Ê ÌœÊ ÞœÕÊ In the early hours of Tuesday morning an offensive involving 4,500 NATO troops and 1,000 Afghan `ÕÀˆ˜}Ê >Ê Õ˜ˆµÕiÊ >˜`Ê iÝVÕÈÛiÊ iÛi˜Ì°Ê ˜œÞÊ >Ê ar my t roops deployed in nor ther n Helmand in Sou- Ài>Ê Üi``ˆ˜}Ê ViÀi“œ˜ÞÊ ˆ˜Ê >Ê Li>ṎvÕÊ ÃiÌ̈˜}]Ê thern Afghanistan. The announcement was made vœœÜi`ÊLÞÊ>ÊëiVÌ>VՏ>ÀÊ`ˆ˜˜iÀE`>˜ViÊ«>ÀÌÞ° by the current head of NATO forces in the south, Dutch general Ton van Loon. According to the Mi- >Ìi\Ê->ÌÕÀ`>ÞÊ >ÀV ÊÓ{]ÊÓääÇ nistry of Defence, air support is being provided by Dutch F–16s and a reserve Tiger company of 80 to /ˆ“i\Ê£Ç\ääÊ œÕÀÃÊ̈Ê>Ìi° 100 troops from the Lucht Mobiel (Airborne) based ˜ÌÀ>˜Vi\ÊÊ£Óx]ääÊ««°ÊÊ A Dutch mortar team in action in Afghanistan. in Kandahar are on reserve if needed. Apache he- ­ˆ˜VÕ`ˆ˜}Ê`Àˆ˜ŽÃÊEÊvœœ`® licopters based in Tarin Kowt, Uruzgan, will also Photo: Defensie provide support when and if necessary for the of- hydro–electric plant that NATO wants to secure so 6i˜Õi\Êi>ÛÞÊ-ÌÕ`ˆœÃʈ˜ÊˆÛiÀÃՓ $BMMGPSB fensive which is called Operation Achilles. that it can be repaired and put to work. GSFFCSPDIVSFPSUPVS One NATO soldier has been killed so far after Leutenant Middel from the Ministry of Defence œÀÊ “œÀiÊ ˆ˜vœÀ“>̈œ˜]Ê Õ«`>ÌiÃÊ >˜`Ê i˜ÌÀ>˜Vi\Ê "NTUFSEBN operations began. The nationality of the casualty said “we don’t know yet if Dutch troops are in- is still unknown. volved in direct fighting, it’s too early to tell. Those 3PUUFSEBN One of the aims of the operation is to tackle militants troops stationed in Uruzgan, though, (next to Hel- around the Kajaki dam – a strategically important mand) are on alert.” ÜÜÜ°Ì iÜi``ˆ˜}iÝ«iÀˆi˜Vi°˜ 26 - Netherlands - FRIDAY 9 MARCH 2007

Masturbation marathon scrapped Prostitutes try further afield HILVERSUM | Channel Tien will not transmit a documentary on a masturbation marathon, which had been previously scheduled. The British Chan- nel 4’s documentary portrayed two American sexologists that were being followed during their AIVD mole appeals four–year preparation for the “masturbate–a–thon.” The men sentence to be portrayed masturbating are doing it for AIDS charity. CDA Chamber member had ROTTERDAM | A Rotterdam court has sentenced called the programme “tasteless” and “totally ab- Outman Ben A., a former worker of the General In- surd.” The programme can, however, be seen next telligence and Safety Service (AIVD) to four years week on the internet site of the station. in prison for leaking state secrets to the Hofstad group. A.’s lawyer Britta Böhler, is set to appeal Youth against smoking ban the decision at a higher court. Responding to the sentence Böler said in de Volkskrant “everything AMSTERDAM | Results of various research show about this case was a state secret. A. was con- that only 18% of young people are for a complete demned without knowing the judges’ reasons why.” smoking ban in the hotel and catering industries, Böhler went on to say that “there was a question of compared to the 48% who are against. The new receiving an honest process in The Hague’s court of Cabinet, however, wants a complete smoking ban appeal.” She wants the case to be sent instead to the in public places before 2011. European Court of Human Rights in Straasburg. VVD wants speedy debate Suspect of murdered Jesse to about Enschede shooting A sign at the old Hague tipple zone Waldorpstraat and a ‘window’ which are sometimes used go to psychiatric ward by illegal prostitutes. Photos: Dave van Ginhoven & Arne. Doornebal THE HAGUE | The VVD wants an emergency | Julien C., suspected of having murdered meeting with Justice State Secretary Nebahat ROTTERDAM / THE HAGUE | Pros- women are finding clients in supermarkets and are the 8–year–old Jesse Dingemans in Hoogerheide, Albayrak regarding the fatal shooting in Enschede titutes who used to work in the closed reducing their prices because the customers must will be sent to the Pieter Baan Centre in Utrecht on Sunday. Shortly after the shooting, where a down tipple or street walk ing zones, are also take more risks. The conditions that they are next month. A court in Breda decided he will be 44–year–old woman died and four others were in- now being found in uncontrolled and working in are dangerous and degrading. None of examined by psychiatrists and psychologists. The jured, a 29–year–old sentenced to Indefinite Reha- often dangerous environments. A study the women can make use of the municipal health Public Prosecution Service (OM) accuses C. of bilitative Treatment (TBS) is the main suspect. The has also found that in Rotterdam, the workers from the GGD who provided condoms and having stabbed D. on 1 December in a primary VVD wants an explanation of how the TBSer, who information about dangerous customers on black school classroom. C., however, continues to deny had almost finished being treated by the Olden- number of illegal prostitutes is higher lists. Something that was available to them in the his involvement. The next court case will be held kotte clinic in Rekken, could have committed such than those who are legal tipple zones before they were closed. on 23 May. an offence. The man was living on his own, under By Andrew Balcombe In Rotterdam, a survey from the Verwey–Jonker the clinic’s observation and in the last phase of his In both cities, one trend stands out; illegal sex wor- Institute in Utrecht has found that the harbour Seal creche in Canada treatment. The PVV wants all TBSers presently on kers are now spreading out and working from areas city has 400 legal prostitutes but also 450 illegal leave, to be locked up immediately. that vary greatly, such as condemned buildings and prostitutes working every day. These figures have AMSTERDAM | The director of the seal creche industrial zones to parks, Chinese barber shops and surprised city officials who expected the number in Pieterburen, Lenie ‘t Hart, wants to set up a seal Turkish / Moroccan coffee shops. A report written of legal sex workers to be much higher. In total, creche in Canada. Last year in Canada, more than NS fed up with in The Hague’s Straatnieuws said that women are 5,000 prostitutes are working in the city. Many 354,000 seals were clubbed. ‘t Hart wants to cre- now working from the old rubbish burning facility of these trade their wears from tanning salons, ate this centre in the Prince Edward Island, where near tram line 11 and industrial zones on Loos- massage parlours, escort agencies, bars and night many seals are slaughtered yearly. The costs will Prorail duinsekade. Also, since police have been clamping clubs. Since the closure of the Keileweg tipple zone amount to some €1 million. ‘t Hart will leave for AMSTERDAM | Thousands of train down on controls of drug addicted prostitutes in in 2005, illegal prostitutes have spread out across Canada on 11 March. passengers were delayed in and around Transvaal, they have relocated and are working the city and are harder for health services and aut- Amsterdam and Utrecht last week, by from Zuiderpark. Straatnieuws also said that the horities to control. Criminal Antilleans may stay Prorail computer malfunctions. AMSTERDAM | The new Cabinet has rejected the By Andrew Balcombe Court rules in favour of ‘Angels’ controversial repatriation scheme to send young Prorail is the company responsible for the manage- criminal Arubans and Antilleans back to their ment of the Dutch rails, signals and traffic control. LEEUWARDEN | The Harlingen will have bans put on them. In response, the lawyer own countries, proposed by former Immigration In the last few weeks, it has suffered large IT mal- chapter of the Hells Angels cannot be for the Harlingen chapter told de Volkskrant that he Minister . Premier Jan Peter Bal- functions at Rotterdam, Utrecht and Amsterdam. banned, says a Friesian court. did not believe the Friesian court’s decision would kenende said he will take another approach. The This has resulted in massive delays leaving trains affect the decision on the other chapters, “this is a Council of State, the highest advisory board, had sitting still for hours. The computer gremlin that By Andrew Balcombe separate case.” The OM is, however, going to ap- already strongly criticised the regulation twice. caused the delays around Amsterdam on Thursday, The decision was handed down Tuesday in the case peal the decision in a higher court. At the end of last The proposal would, according to the Council, go occurred after a single hard drive, controlling the brought by the Public Prosecution Service (OM), year, 22 members of the Hells Angels were accused against the European law concerning equal treat- changing of track directions, failed. alleging the chapter is a criminal organisation. The for crimes including murder, some of those accused ment. A new less harsh regulation, will, therefore, According to de Volkskrant, Netherlands Railways court in the Friesian town of Leeuwarden, found were also members of the Harlingen club. be introduced for the criminal Antillean youth. The (NS) have asked Prorail “where their priorities lie that the OM’s case against the chapter was not Hells Angels’ members, who also belong to the VVD wants a speedy debate, while the PVV wants by using such outdated computer equipment.” The convincing enough to warrant a public ban being military number in the dozens, said a Ministry of to know why the proposal has been withdrawn. watchdog representing public transport passengers placed on the club. Defence spokesman to ANP. The spokesman went Rover was slightly more critical, calling Prorail The OM tried to press the case against the Harlingen on to say that “commanding officers are trying to Holland not going to UN “clumsy rail.” Rover also said on its website that it chapter, saying it was financed by criminal means get the club members to give up their membership.” conference on human trade was astonished that such small computer problems and that the members discriminated against people Legal measures to enforce this are not possible yet can have such drastic effects, saying “one small of other races. The court case is part of a wider na- because, “we have to wait until the court cases fi- AMSTERDAM | Holland is abandoning the wi- defect makes huge waves that affect trains over a tional attempt by the OM to close down all seven nish before we can move in that direction.” dely supported UN conference in New York as large area.” Prorail has promised to work on the chapters of the Hells Angels around Holland. The A 49–year–old Sergeant Major from Zwijndrecht requested by D66, on women and children smug- problems and say that a new computer system will Justice department accuses the club of committing who is an instructor in the Marines has been sus- gling. The reason is the meeting is being organised be installed by 2010. NS is not satisfied, however, murders, extortion dealing in drugs and weapons pended from duty, confirmed the Ministry. The by the Russian Vladimir Naumov. He has alleged and are asking why the changes can not be made smuggling saying that it should not have a place in suspension follows an investigation into possible links with those responsible for the disappearance faster, “better today than tomorrow that these sort Dutch society. An Amsterdam court will rule on 11 criminal activity currently being carried out on the of such opposition leaders as Minister Yoeri Zak- of problems are in the past,” said NS. April whether the rest of The Hells Angels chapters senior soldier. harenko and politician Viktor Gonchar in 1999. - Advertisement - Feel the need to call “home”? d r a

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The expat travel experts. American HISWA fare opens its doors to public Fully-customized holidays Travel worldwide! Center AMSTERDAM | The annual HISWA Tel. 0235390474 boat and water sports fare opened its [email protected] doors to the public on Tuesday. Until 11 March, nautical fans can prepare for the the soon–to–be opened water season Islamic schools at the Amsterdam RAI, with an immen- se variety of sloops, yachts, canoes and closed after other water–related accessories. By Tristan van Rijn crisis with The HISWA fare is widely seen as the official ope- ning of the water season and provides the public with something more than just boats. management This year, the main attraction is the Water Fun Zone, a large basin with a ski jump, in which pro- AMSTERDAM | The three primary fessional wake boarders from the Netherlands and schools, which fall under the SIBA ma- abroad can show their jumping skills. Visitors can nagement (Amsterdam’s Organisation participate in small boat races to test their skills, for Islamic Primary Schools), will be watch a canoe versus kayak battle or keep their feet closed down because new management dry while entering a water ski simulator. The lar- can not be found. gest water sports fare in the Benelux countries will display a range of hundreds of boats from all clas- ByFabienne Capostagno ses: sloops, sports boats, RIBs, open sailing yachts, The provisional administrative board is still in catamarans, motor boats and canoes, most of them discussions with other managements regarding a in the RAI complex itself, but the largest yachts are take–over, but if these talks also fail, the closing displayed in the Boerenwetering, the canal behind Preparations for the HISWA in full action. Photo: Esther Stobbelaar will go ahead. This was stated by Education State the complex. The seven RAI exposition rooms will one–year–old Dutch society of Trade and Industry dam. Due to its success in 1963, it moved from the Secretary . The approximately 600 also show thousands of water sports accessories, in Shipping and Water sports (HISWA) organised Apollohal in Oud–Zuid to the brand–new RAI children of the El Faroeq Omar school, Abraham El displayed by some 375 stand holders. In 1933, the its first fare on the Ferdinand Bolstraat in Amster- complex. This year, will be the 52nd edition. Khaliel school and At Taqwas school will in this case be placed in other schools. It is also very un- likely that the Simon organisation, which manages ‘Info leak to Turkey undermines investigations’ eight Islamic schools in the east and mid–Holland, will also manage the SIBA schools. AMSTERDAM | Because classified po- the translator has been fired. The investigations information to Turkey is new to me.” The SIBA schools established in 1989, have been lice information has been leaked to Tur- that have become compromised by the leaks are, The AIVD confirmed that the translator’s integrity tormented for years by mismanagement, poor key, several investigations on organised among others, the search for suspects for the mur- was questioned by the service in 2005 and that he education and financial problems. Since 2005, the crime in the Netherlands and Turkey der of real estate magnate Willem Endstra in 2004 was removed from his function. The translator schools have been under strict supervision by the are in jeopardy, according to the NRC and the alleged role in heroin trafficking of Nedim tried to fight the decision in court, but in vain. Inspectorate. Last year, the former SIBA chairman Handelsblad Imaç, the former president of amateur football club The NRC also wrote that the Amsterdam police and was sentenced to two years in prison and a €265 . Türkiyemspor, who was murdered last week, . prosecution services did, however, make use of the repayment for having inappropriately used the The newspaper revealed the contents of classified In both investigations, the AIVD cooperated with translator afterwards, because he could function money. SIBA is, therefore, left with two options: a AIVD (Dutch Intelligence and Safety Service) cor- the Turkish authorities. A Turkish high police com- as a link between Dutch and Turkish authorities. take–over or closure. The SIBA schools have had respondence in Saturday’s issue. missioner is quoted in the NRC as saying that “I Neither the Public Prosecution Service nor the many problems for years. But due to the bad finan- According to the AIVD, the information was leaked know that there were problems with the translator, National Police Service could confirm the NRC cial situation, there is no extra money available to to Turkey by a Turkish translator. In the meantime but the idea that he has illegally given classified findings. invest for improving the quality of the schools. - Advertisements -

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TANDARTSEN Milli Görüs linked to financial scam aan de HERENGRACHT Milli Görüs. The conservative, German headquar- Regular dentistry, implantology, cosmetic dentistry, teeth AMSTERDAM | Former supporters emergencies of the Turko–Islamic movement Milli ters of the movement replaced the liberal chairman whitening, paradontology, orthondonty, Görüs have objected to the construc- of its Dutch branch with a more conservative, less tion permit for the Amsterdam West- integration–minded chairman. The three parties Bottom half of dead body found ermoskee. They accuse the mosque had agreed to a covenant, which provided a liberal in canal course of the mosque in exchange for a construc- organisation of fraude and financial tion permit. AMSTERDAM | Police found the bottom part of a mismanagement. De Volkskrant reported on Tuesday that the finan- body of a man in the Herengracht canal in the capi- By Tristan van Rijn cial scam in De Baarsjes is probably par t of a larger tal on Monday night. A passer–by notified the po- In their official objection letter to city district De swindle of billions of euros on a European scale. lice after having seen something suspicious in the Baarsjes, five former Milli Görüs members linked Roughly 400,000 Turkish families throughout water. Divers of the fire brigade then removed the the movement to a series of mala fide practices, Europe are said to have been swindled for 5 billion body from the water. According to a spokesperson, ranging from illegal money exchange to housing euro. The information came from a Turkish parlia- the body parts were in the canal already for some several ‘sinister companies’. Milli Görüs held its The planned Westermoskee. mentary committee and a series of financial court time. It is still unknown how the man died. practices in the old mosque in a parking lot in De accusers, the money in the green funds has disap- rulings in Germany and Switzerland. Baarsjes, which is now planned to become the larg- peared. President El Uzel of the Turkish foundation A spokesman of Milli Görüs Nederland said that “Too much nuisance in the est mosque in the capital, de Westermoskee. Turkeli was quoted as saying, “hundreds of Turkish the green funds were very normal in the Nether- Transvaal neighbourhood” The accusations were made public by de Volkskrant families are ruined.” lands and that nearly all Turkish mosques and cof- on Monday. The sinister companies mentioned by The accusers issued their objection last Wednes- fee houses participated in it. He denied, however, AMSTERDAM | The capital’s division of the VVD the former members are the so–called ‘green day, the last day of the deadline to object to the that fraude was involved in any way. have asked Mayor Job Cohen to point out that the funds’, named after the colour of the Islamic flag. construction of the new, ambitious Westermoskee. It remains unclear what consequences the Volksk- Transvaal neighbourhood in the east, is a problem Turkish inhabitants of De Baarsjes gave millions of The mosque project has seen many controversies rant report will have on the eventual construction area. The police must, therefore, have access to euros in cash to the funds in exchange for partici- in the recent past. The cooperation between the of the Westermoskee. SP MP more possibilities to tackle the problems in that pation in investment funds. The investment funds city district, Milli Görüs and housing corporation demanded that Finance Minister area. According to the VVD, there is especially a promised returns of up to 40 percent. Het Oosten was nearly broken off in December, be- instigate an investigation on the alleged malafide lot of trouble around the African and the Kruger According to de Volkskrant, which interviewed the cause of an alleged change of ideological course at practices. squares. The party has also heard from police and inhabitants that in the Transvaal neighbourhood, there is still a lot of vandalism, threats and break– Bos cancels royal decree Zalm on Schiphol privatisation ins. Council member Marijn Ornstein says the police has insufficient capacity and competence to AMSTERDAM | The judicial battle tional position without a privatisation. as, for example, an ‘employment engine’ would be fight the nuisance. between the city of Amsterdam and the Bos also said that starting discussions was one jeopardised. State on the privatisation of Schiphol of the first things he wanted to do as a Finance Asscher decided to use the city’s veto in order to Police arrest street robbery airport came to an end this week. Fi- Minister. The Dutch state currently owns 75% of block Zalm’s plans, causing a lengthy discussion suspects nance Minister Wouter Bos announced Schiphol and Amsterdam has a 21.8% share. The about the question whether a local government Finance portfolio deals with State ownerships. body should be allowed to veto a State matter. After AMSTERDAM | Police have arrested 10 suspects on Monday that both parties will sit The issue of Schiphol privatisation has been hotly that, Zalm made use of his ministerial right to issue who are possibly involved in some 30 street robbe- around the negotiation table again. debated in the recent past. Amsterdam and former a Royal Decree and destroyed the veto. r ies in the cit y cent re of the capit al. A nu mber of the By Tristan van Rijn Finance Minister Gerrit Zalm (VVD) reached a Asscher confirmed in Het Parool that Bos has re- suspects, all aged between 15 and 22, have already The PvdA Vice–Premier said in radio programme stalemate on the issue in December. voked the royal decree and that Amsterdam will get confessed to police. Others are still being heard. De Ochtenden that “the hatchet has been buried” Zalm and the Balkenende III Cabinet wanted to its veto back. The new Cabinet accord states that no From research, it appears that six of the suspects and that the State, Amsterdam and Schiphol will privatise the airport for a large part, while Amster- state–owned Schiphol shares will be sold. could be linked to some 20 street robberies. Police soon be negotiating on the question of how the dam Finance Alderman Lodewijk Asscher feared Bos expects that the share holders will have reached have kept a close eye in Amsterdam’s city centre airport can get the money to strengthen its interna- that the airport’s large economic impact on the city an agreement on the financing of Schiphol’s ambi- lately, because the number of street robberies have tious future by the end of the year. been rising. Police do not exclude other arrests. Suspects of Singer theft confess - Advertisements - AMSTERDAM | Three suspects of the caused a public outcry theft of 7 bronze statues from the Singer because of the relent- Museum in Laren will be brought be- less way in which the fore an Amsterdam court in April. irreplaceable statues were sawn in pieces, The chief suspect, a 40–year–old man from Mui- especially when con- derberg, and a 23–year–old man from Huizen have sidering the low value confessed that they had a part in the theft of the of bronze on the black bronze statues, among which was a cast of ‘The market. Thinker’ by Auguste Rodin, from the garden of Afterwards, the police the Singer Museum in January. The third suspect arrested three other denied all charges. Shortly after the theft, the po- suspects, which led to lice recovered ‘The Thinker’ in one of the suspects’ the solving of 21 other houses heavily vandalised. Later, bits and pieces of cases concerning sto- the other statues were recovered as well. len statues in the area It later turned out that the suspects had stolen the between Amsterdam Rodin’s The Thinker after statues in order to sell the bronze parts. The theft and Utrecht. the vandalism. Anti–terrorism practice in metro AMSTERDAM | The Dienst Speciale Amsterdam police, the Municipality, the KLPD Interventies (Special Intervention and Amsterdam transport company GVB. Service, DSI), a new national anti–ter- The DSI was founded in July as part of the battle ror unit of the police, held an exercise in against terrorism and heavy criminality. The gov- the Amsterdam underground on Satur- ernment decided to set–up a new umbrella service after the advice of an independent research com- day night. mittee. The service was necessary to answer ‘mod- By Tristan van Rijn ern–day terrorism and extreme violence’. Regular One hundred DSI team members participated in police services only handle the arrests of armed the exercise and had to release 40 Amsterdam po- criminals and are often ill–equipped for heavier licemen, who played metro passengers, during the offences, according to the committee. hijacking of a metro. The service officially handles matters concerning It was the first major excercise of the DSI. A metro hostage situations, kidnapping, hijacking, sieges was halted between the Wibautstraat and Weesper- and extortion practices. They are also provided plein stations in Amsterdam–Oost. “This is one of with the task to offer sniper fire when necessary. the scenarios the DSI can encounter,” a spokesman The KLPD, stated that the exercise was successful, of the National Police Corps (KLPD) told Het especially concerning the cooperation between the Parool. The excercise was a joint initiative of the different bodies involved. - Advertisements - Taj Mahal Taste of authentic Indian cuisine

OPEN DAILY: 17.00h to 2300h M. Heinekenplein 1 Tel: 020 569 72 97 / 679 38 04 1072 MH Amsterdam www.tajmahal-amsterdam.nl 26090307__T06______126

Experience the best of Italy!

Right on the river bank is the Amstel Bar & Brasserie at the Amstel Hotel. The informal restaurant offers beautiful views over the Amstel River and Amsterdam. The Amstel Bar & Brasserie is a unique place for an informal drink, lunch or dinner, and olso offers a late evening supper after the theatre or a concert. ŔŪůŨŦŭġĶĶıĭġIJıIJĸġłśġġłŮŴŵŦųťŢŮ ŕŦŭįĻġġĬĴIJġĩıĪijıġķijĴġĹĴġijı Opening times Monday till Sunday: ŸŸŸįųŪŴŵŰųŢůŵŦŤŢųŶŴŰįŤŰŮ Lunch: 12.00 - 15.00 ńŢųŶŴŰųŪŴŵŰųŢůŵŦįůŭŁūŰŭŭźũŰŵŦŭŴįŤŰŮ Diner: 17.00 - 01.00 Email: [email protected] ŰűŦůġĸġťŢźŴġŢġŸŦŦŬ Internet: www.amsterdam.intercontinental.com ōŶůŤũĻġŶűŰůġųŦŲŶŦŴŵġŢŴġŧųŰŮġijıġűŦųŴŰůŴ ŅŪůůŦųĻġIJĹįĴıȸijijįııġũŰŶųŴ Phone: +31 20 520 32 69 łŴŬġŧŰųġŧųŦŦġűŢųŬŪůŨġŶűŰůġųŦŴŦųŷŢŵŪŰůĢ Do you live an InterContinental life?

The TimesTimes’ Restaurant Selection

Fish restaurant visaandeschelde proves that it is rightfully placed among the higher echelons of Amsterdam restaurants. In the heart of the southern Amsterdam business area, its services have adapted to the demand of the locals. Looking for a parking space in the busy RAI area will not be necessary. visaandeschelde off ers a very welcome service: Valet Parking. Not only at lunchtime but also in the evening, so there you go: your fi rst impression is one of sheer hospitality. The second impression is the warm welcome you receive from the restaurant’s staff , even if they are not aware yet that you’re a Times reporter. After politely taking off your coat they guide you to one of the tables. If you’re lucky, you’ll get one that is in front of the open kitchen (a brilliant spot: from here you have a great view of the restaurant, the guests, the staff and the beautiful kitchen). The restaurant has a modern interior with a classical edge and looks crisp and fresh. Despite the chic look of the restaurant, the atmosphere is remarkably loose, even a little boisterous. As an appetizer the well-informed staff present a small terrine of sea-perch, This elegant Brasserie-style restaurant is ideally Restaurant Christophe grilled on the skin, mackerel, sweet red peppers, horseradish-mayonnaise located in the city centre overlooking one of and on top a deep fried sprat: very light, slightly Mediterranean combination Amsterdam’s most picturesque canals. Besides a French-European à la carte menu we offer a weekly French-Mediterenean kitchen in the Jordaan. of beautiful fi sh and fresh vegetables. The dish is perfectly balanced by the € Chef Jean-joel and sommelier Ellen Mansfi eld 3-course choice menu at 34,50 and an award are the new owners since January 1st 2006. Picpoule L’enfant Terrible, a spicy, but refreshing white wine. Although fi sh is winning wine cellar. They want to perfect the restaurant where they usually associated with white wine, the sommeliers at visaandeschelde have Daily opened for lunch (12.30-14.30 hrs) have both been working for years. managed to put together a fi ne collection of light red wines, some of which and dinner (18.30-22.30 hrs). Valet parking available. have actually won the prize for ‘best table wine’ in a competition held among Mention the Holland Times at reservation Opened for diner from Tuesday till Saturday and we will be happy to serve you from 18:30. the best restaurants in town. a complimentary aperitif. Situated at the Leliegracht number 46 in The entrée presents langoustine tails with stewed fennel, a quail egg, fl oating Amsterdam. in a small pool of delicious langoustine sauce. Perfectly advised by the staff , a Café Roux, housed in: Hotel The Grand Amsterdam remarkably fresh and dry Chardonnay proves to be this dish’s best companion. Oudezijds Voorburgwal 197 • 020- 555 3 560 Phone :020-6250807 E-mail: [email protected] • www.thegrand.nl As a main course the staff serves a grilled sole, lying on a bed of grilled Roseval potatoes, fried glasswort with stewed spinach and artichoke, and a lovely Tunisian Harissa sauce. All in all, a visit to visaandeschelde is a treat for those who seek a combination of class, a laidback atmosphere, a perfect service and a playful kitchen of very capable chefs, who know how to treat the fruits of the ocean. visaandeschelde is most defi nitely one of Amsterdam’s fi nest.

visaandeschelde is open for lunch from Monday to Friday and 7 days a week for dinner. Making a timely reservation (one/two weeks in advance) is necessary. For reservations, call: 020-6751583 For other information, visit www.visaandeschelde.nl

Italian Speciality Restaurant

Restaurant Gorgeous Chic without constraint. Glamour without pretence. Personal and open. A place where you the perfect combination of ambiance and quality can feel at home, a place in which we’re happy to welcome you. A restaurant in one word... Gorgeous. &XOLQDU\ 'XWFK'HOLJKWV  LQWKHKHDUWRI$PVWHUGDP

Opening hours: Monday till friday lunch (12.00 till 15.30) evenings (17.00 till 22.00) kitchen open 2e van der Helststraat 16 Saturday and Sunday only diner

1072 PD Amsterdam  FREE PARKING 020 379 14 00 5HVWDXUDQW %UDVVHULH'H5RRGH/HHXZ [email protected]  Restaurant Bellini www.gorgeousrestaurant.nl 'DPUDNy/3y$PVWHUGDPy7KH1HWKHUODQGV Nederhoven 17 Lunch on appointment 7HO  y)D[   1083 AM Amsterdam (Buitenveldert) Open: Tuesday till Saturday from 18:00 ZZZKRWHODPVWHUGDPQOyLQIR#KRWHODPVWHUGDPQO Phone: 020-644 83 90 26

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- The Hague -  www.wts-taxiservice.nl FRIDAY 9 MARCH 2007 7 070-5170325 Projects put pressure on cheap housing THE HAGUE | Two demolition and reconstruction projects have proven to be problematic for residents of cheap anti-kraak housing and the company Handicapped man injured after who places them. being hit by tram By Andrew Balcombe THE HAGUE | A 42–year–old mentally handicap- Two hundred and thirty six residents taking ad- ped man was badly injured on Tuesday, when a tram vantage of cheap housing in unoccupied buildings- ran him over on the Kleine Loo in The Hague’s dis- par t of the system called anti–k raak (anti– squat) in trict Mariahoeve. The man, who was accompanied the suburb of Mariahoeve will have to leave. by a guide, did not see the tram. A helicopter took According to the Algemeen Dagblad, those oc- the man to hospital. Police said there were two cupying apartments in the Hongarenburg and trams in opposite directions close to the footpath Finnenburg have been set the deadline of 1 April where the man was standing. Both trams hooted, to move out. In protest, some people have thrown but the man did not see one of the trams. their belongings out onto the street. The residents have been described as young people, students, Wassenaar ram raid artists and ex–squatters, who rent the space from Ad–Hoc, an anti–kraak company that rents out WASSENAAR | The electronics store Dixons in unoccupied buildings. Wassenaar was forcefully entered and damaged on Ad–Hoc also rents out commercial and govern- Saturday morning. Unknown thieves used a stolen ment buildings in Holland that are unoccupied or g ray Mercedes to crash into Dixons in Wassenaar’s due for demolition. It is one of several companies A vacant Hague house and the squatters symbol. street centre Langstraat. Parts of the shop’s shutters set up to provide services between owners of vacant Photo: (left) Astrid Meijs fell against a glass showcase with expensive appli- buildings and renters who can apply to a waiting apartments and 88 family homes. More pressure In regards to what happens next with the residents, ances. Unintentionally, the shutters blocked the list, and if they are lucky, rent the space to live in. has been on the cheap housing market because the Ad–Hoc say “it is normal for them to be put on the showcase and the men are believed to have driven This is often very cheap, but the disadvantage is last residents living in the Zwart Madonna building waiting lists, they also have an opportunity to live off in a light–coloured Opel, leaving the Mercedes that the squatters may have to move frequently and near Central Station must also leave by 1 July. The- in the new places when they are built. It is difficult behind. According to witnesses, three people were suddenly. se people will also be looking for cheap housing. that two reconstruction projects are taking place so involved in the incident. Other disadvantages of anti–kraak buildings are a Claudia Duinesvelt from Ad–Hoc told The Times, close in time to each other but we are trying our best lack of privacy, since the owner can visit with po- “clients who rent with us understand that they must to place as many people as possible.” She did not say Neherkade flat cleared tential buyers to show off the dwelling. The advan- leave the space they are renting at some stage. They how long the waiting lists were though. tages, are the large spaces that some buildings have pay €50 to €120 a month for the space but there is a Housing problems don’t look like they will dimi- THE HAGUE | Fifty inhabitants and a dog were which is a rarity for renters at such a cheap price. limited timeline, that’s the only disadvantage. The nish soon in The Hague. In Den Haag Zuidwest, evacuated from the Neherkade flat on Tuesday eve- T he 1960 apa r t ment block s i n Ma r ia hoeve a re to be people living in Mariahoeve have been there for 8,000 dwellings are also due to be torn down in ning, due to a fire on the sixth floor. After a couple torn down to make way for roughly a hundred new five years which is a pretty long time.” 2010. of hours, inhabitants of the sixth, seventh and eight floors were able to re–enter their homes, except for Nuisance pigeons to be locked the owner of the apartment on fire and the proprie- up in special cages Bike path Meijendel–Clingendael tor of the apartment above. The cause of the fire is still unclear, as is the extent of the damage. THE HAGUE | The city has announced a plan WASSENAAR | After 50 years, cyclists to reduce the number of feral pigeons in The can finally enjoy a bike ride on the ro- 1945 bombing remembered Residence. The Alderman for city maintenance bust path 10 connecting Clingendael R. Baldewsingh (PvdA) has come up with a softer park to Meijendel in Wassenaar. THE HAGUE | Some 600 people showed up in option of reducing their numbers. Unlike Gronin- the Hague district Bezuidenhout last Sunday, to gen where pigeons are gassed, Baldewsingh want By Fabienne Capostagno remember the 1945 bombing of the suburb. Al- The official opening of the path was on Thursday. derwoman Jette Klijnsma and a soldier from the The new 2.9 km route, which winds through the British Embassy lay a crown near the Juliana van dunes, is especially meant for Hague citizens who, Stolberg monument. This monument is a symbolic without being stuck in traffic, want to go to Wasse- place, because the statue, which lies in the middle naar riding as much as possible through nature. of the Bezuidenhout, remained unharmed during The path is extremely suitable for the recreational the bombing. The ceremony ended with a concert biker. One feature is that leisure bikers do not come Clingendael park. at the Royal Conservatory. into contact with groups of sport cyclists, since the Photo: Dave van Ginhoven path is intentionally narrow and has many bends. German (26) kidnapped for a Further, the small stones on the road surface also coast and Wassenaar’s built–up area. week reduce speed. The largest part of the construction consisted of pigeons to be locked up in special cages. The birds The construction of the missing part of the cycle removing the vegetation from the new future path THE HAGUE A 26–year–old German man was have been called ‘flying rats’ because of the harm- path 10 in the Waalsdorpervlakte began in Decem- and replacing it with a hardened sand layer. The held prisoner for a week in a house in the Paul ful bacteria and parasites they carry. Their habit of ber 2006, although the idea of this new path had choice for this type of path was especially decided Krugerlaan in The Hague. The man’s captors excreting on public buildings and dwellings costs already been started in 1954. But for 50 years, new for preserving the present nature. hoped that his 32–year–old cousin would pay an money to clean up as well as being unpleasant to obstacles hindered the realisation of the bike path. The Waalsdorpervlakte is part of the Natura outstanding €200,000 cocaine debt in exchange for live with. The Alderman says he has seen the plan One of the last bumps was a demand from the pro- 2000–area Meijendel–Berkheide. This area con- the younger man’s life. The victim was kidnapped work effectively in the German city of Aachen and vince of South Holland for the hundreds of parking sists of nature monuments, which on the basis of in the centre of the Ger man city of Hannover on the wants to try it here. “We don’t want to kill them, spots near the Meijendel restaurant to disappear. national and international legislation, enjoy parti- Friday and brought in a delivery van to The Hague. these enclosures are cheap to make and we want to Wassenaar, however, refused and the provincial cular protection. He was held in a dark room from Monday until work with The Hague’s animal and bird protection towns decided to abandon the demand. But in 2003, With regards to the Waalsdorpervlakte, it concerns Thursday. And was deprived of food and water authorities”. He told the Algemeen Dagblad. If the the construction of the path came back on the po- mainly the valuable and dry dunes grassland. Me- and beaten with a baseball bat. A police arrest team plan goes ahead coups will be placed at three loca- litical agenda. A year later, and the municipalities ijendel–Berkheide is, however, part of the provin- acting on a German tip–off raided the house and tions around the Hague, pigeons will be attracted agreed on the new path. cial ecological structure. In this respect, then, the released the hostage. Four Turkish and Albanian to them by food and locked in. The birds will then The bicycle path runs from the Landscheidingsweg province of South Holland has demanded that any men have been arrested, two in Hannover, two at stay in the cages and if they are breeding their eggs in The Hague to the back of the valley of Meijendel eventual loss of nature value will have to be com- the Hague house and a 30–year–old Turkish drug will be replaced with fake eggs. in Wassenaar. Meijendel is a dune area between the pensated for. trafficker in Rotterdam. - Advertisements -

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Amsterdam Office SNEEUWWIT +31 (0)20 - 4037680 P.O. Box 693 • 2240 AP Wassenaar • The Netherlands • Chamber of Commerce nr. 27260296 For 80 years we have understood what real • Tel.: +31 (0) 70 385 88 00 • Mobile: + 31 (0)6 27 04 33 09 quality and service is all about. www.expatax.nl • Fax: +31 (0) 70 385 67 10 • E-mail: [email protected] 26090307__T08______126 - Interview - 8 FRIDAY 9 MARCH 2007 Dick Bruna

hanging around in the dunes. I thought it would be In the company nice to draw that little rabbit. And that is how miffy got started, the very first book was called “miffy at the seaside”. I’ve done about 115 or 116 books of of a living which 29 are about miffy, now why did she become famous instead of boris bear? Or poppy pig? I think because she is very very close to children, they like legend miffy because she is nice and soft and warm, they can take her to bed and cuddle and it is very funny Dick Bruna; creator of that in all of the different countries of the world miffy miffy is the most popular. The very first transla- tion, one or two years later in 1956 or 1957 was By Andrew Balcombe made into an English translation. It was done by an On a snowy February day I stepped onto English children author and I remember she talked the pavement of the Randstad’s fourth to me about the name, the rabbit was called nijntje largest city in time to see the surroun- here, but in England they couldn’t pronounce that or ding buildings bathed in sunshine. It in any of the other countries. So the author came up was a welcome change to the tempera- with the idea, wouldn’t miffy be a nice name.” mental weather of the coast. Walking London, Paris and Matisse through the narrow and quiet cobbled We back peddle a little to the origins of the Dick streets I soon came to a non descript Bruna phenomenon to gain some perspective of door and hit the intercom. I was gree- how success on this scale can somehow be created. ted by a friendly and familiar sounding The father of Bruna was a successful publisher who voice. Waiting at the top of the flight of Dick Bruna relaxing on his simple but boldly coloured studio couch also owned the chain of Bruna bookstores found stairs was the man himself. Dick Bruna photo: Andrew Balcombe at train stations around the country. As the oldest is small in stature but ones attention The beginnings of a young artist Many of his works can be seen at the museum Dick child, Dick was expected to follow his father into is soon drawn to his bright alert eyes. Bruna was born in Utrecht in 1927, he started Bruna Huis, just outside the centre of Utrecht. The the business. Within moments an easy conversa- drawing, painting and making stories early in life, Dick Bruna Huis is part of Utrechts Centraal Mu- “I went to London to gain business experience and leaving little doubt about the direction in which seum which was built in 1838. It holds five different to learn English. I worked at W.H. Smiths but I don’t tion developed about Utrecht and how he wanted to head. Strangely enouigh, this was sections that cover Old Masters, including works know about business, it is not interesting to me I just nice it is. As far as first impressions are perhaps even helped by the outbreak of World War b y S a e n r e d a m , m o d e r n a r t , s u c h a s p i e c e s f r o m Va n concerned I felt like I had known Dick Two. Doesburg, design fashion and local history. Bruna for a very long time. “During the last part of the War my father was about Across the cobbled street lies Dick Bruna Huis. 40-42-years-old and I was about 15 or something. It is specially designed to entertain children with In 1955 Bruna cre- We were both at the age where if the Germans got many of the exhibits being interactive to keep their ated miffy or nijn- hold of us we would have to go and work in the wandering minds and hands busy. If you have a day tje in Dutch which factories in Germany. (At that time, many of these in which to entertain your children it is well worth is short for small factories were being bombed into rubble by allied a look. rabbit (konijntje). air raids) But we didn’t want to go, so we had to “About being an artist,” Bruna says “if I have the Miffy and her hide. My family had a house out by the Vinkeveense chance to do that all my life and do drawings eve- surroundings are Plassen wetlands between Utrecht and Amsterdam. ryday, what more could you want? It started as my drawn by Bruna in From time to time the Germans would come and we hobby and has always been my hobby and in the a minimalist style had to hide. We had a little cupboard to go into, and meantime I earned enough to raise three children using six simple sometimes we would jump in a boat and row to the and have a house and a car.” and bright primary other side of the lake and hide in the swamp. At This prompts the question on whether the creative colours. Other cha- that time my father, could not go to work nor I to streak has been passed on to the following Bruna racters have also school, we just stayed home and tried to find things generations? come along, such to eat, because there was not much food around at “My kids are very good at art, but my eldest son as melanie, miffy’s that time. I had quite a nice time, I read a lot, the became a lawyer though, he likes to draw in his African friend, only art books we had were about Rembrandt (one free time. My second son became a sculptor and the boris bear and book) and another on Vincent Van Gogh which I youngest one is still doing graphic design and that is poppy pig. A sign read about five or six times and in the meantime I what I feel I am too. I am a graphic designer rather of the strength of wrote a little book for my mother about how I felt than an illustrator or something. I couldn’t make a the merchandising about her and what she was doing during that time. I very nice portrait of you” he points at me. “That is miffy, Bruna’s best known of miffy is that as a also made a lot of drawings and paintings of flowers something I can’t do. My portrait of you would be symbol picture: mercis brand and a design and animals. I had never seen any other artists, I of a little round head that looks like something in icon, she is stronger had heard of Matisse and Picasso and I wanted to one of my books.” now, 52 years on, than she ever has been. Dick become an artists like they were. To do the same I reflect on that for a moment and conclude that his 1980 leek illustration from the book ‘poppy pig Bruna’s empire is a well managed industry, nearly work and see that people are happy with it. I see that description of my head was probably more accurate goes to market’. 85 million copies of the popular illustrated books children use my books and I am very happy.” than I cared to admit. A change of subject at this Picture: mercis have been sold in 40 languages to this day. Since point was probably the best strategy which brought 2003, miffy has been an ambassador for New York Living a simple life us to the origins and birth of Bruna’s miffy. like to draw and paint. When it comes to business giving the troubled city a more friendly image. On It seems at first appearances that Bruna does leave now, I leave that to my son the lawyer.” the occasion of the first birthday of Prince Wil- a remarkably ordinary life. From humble conception to global icon From London, Bruna then travelled to Paris. “Du- lem Alexander and Princess Máxima’s first child “I don’t feel famous, there are lots of people I know How was miffy first thought up as a character? ring my year in Paris I really got to know the art Amalia, miffy was used on the website of the Royal who wave at me on my bike but I just like to come “It started about 50 or 60–years–ago,” says Bruna, movement. And Matisse was a huge influence in House of The Netherlands. here everyday (to the studio) and work on my own, “for my son. We used to go to the seaside and rent a my drawings.” that is what makes me happy. The fact that I have a little house. And it was normal for me to tell my son Henry Matisse (1869-1954) is considered one of the miffy head quarters museum here in Utrecht, most artists only get that a bed time story before he went to sleep. In the dunes most important French artists of the 20th century Bruna’s small well lit loft studio, which is the cre- when they are a long time dead. But if you have that I noticed lots of little rabbits running around. and with Picasso one of the most influential mo- ative headquarters of the Bruna empire, is similar during your life it is like a dream.” So I started telling him stories about the rabbits d e r n p a i nt e r s of t h at e r a . K now n a s t he le a d e r of L e s in style to that of his illustrations: the spaces and Fauves, a group of painters, he too loved using bold, decor are simple, clean and very minimalist. In a primary colours. Dick Bruna also admired the way corner next to a bright blue couch is a cupboard Matisse incorporated cut out objects in his art such full of postcards. “These have been sent to me as those used in the book Jazz (1947). from children as far away as Japan,” says my host. Once this French love affair began, Bruna’s father I look at him and he seems very happy about this realised where his son’s passions lay. Upon his re- as he points out the amount of work that has gone turn from France, he decided to make use of Dick’s into the gifts he has been sent along with a never creativity and set him to work on illustrating covers ending stream of letters from his admirers. In the for the books sold by his publishing firm. It began same corner is a strange looking chair with two ears with black bear, which was well received and grew coming out of the top. “Thats my miffy chair,” says into two thousand more covers that included well Bruna, “it’s very comfortable too.” Hanging on the known publications such as The Saint, James Bond walls are posters of miffy and her friends and some and Shakespeare. Bruna also translated three of of his other characters such as black bear. Being in Simenon’s Maigret books into Dutch. the studio was like visiting a favourite relative and “I also started selling my drawings and paintings at I wanted to stay all day, surrounding by this man’s the art market in Utrecht. The parents didn’t really creativity. like what they saw, they said the pictures were too Bruna guides the proceedings over to a wooden bright and too simple. But the children loved them table not unlike that seen in many kitchens and and those children are parents themselves now.” serves coffee. “It takes me about 15 minutes to Bruna has been compared to the Dutch 17th cen- come here every morning by bike”, “he says. It’s t u r y ma st er s of t he Golden age becau se of t he broa d good exercise because now I am walking less and influence that his art has had. Some critics have less. Utrecht is very nice, I grew up here, everyone placed him among the greats of Dutch modern 20th is friendly, it’s not too big and you can get around century art such as Piet Mondriaan, best known for easily on the bike.” The French artist Henry Matisse (1869–November 1954) was an inspiration for the younger Dick his transition into modern art with the Victory Boo- It is hard to believe that this humble 79-year-old, is Bruna when he travelled to Paris. gie Woogie painting being his most famous work, responsible for a global icon and has made simple The artists use of cut out objects, aggressive brush work and bright colours is distinctive, some of in neo plasticism. And the designer Gerrit Rietveld brightly coloured images a trademark known to these traits washed off in Bruna’s work, particularly the bold simple images and colours. Matisse who was influenced by ‘De Stijl’ movement and families stretching from Alabama to Beijing. was also a draftsman, printmaker and sculpture. worked with simple geometric forms. How does the artist find inspiration from day to 26 - Interview - FRIDAY 9 MARCH 2007 9 Dick Bruna

day life? Bruna does not shy away from the serious it round. We worked very hard to make sure it has issues either, such as immigration and death. the same simplicity and also that everything like “I try to make my books as simple as possible, the trees and the house are the same. The miffy and very ordinary stories for children going to school, other figures are made of foam and about 30 cm or to the seaside or the snow. But miffy became so high and the people who work on it are very good. close to children that I thought it would be nice to About once a month I go to the studio near Hilver- talk about something more serious and so one day sum. The amount of work that goes into each scene some years ago I made a little brown friend for is unbelievable. It takes a whole day to shoot three miffy called nina (melanie). At that time I did lots seconds of footage of stop motion animation. They of readings for school classes and I noticed that half stop, adjust, film, stop, adjust and film and there of the class was white and the other half not, so I are a lot of people working on it, real artists, a lot decided it would be nice to give miffy an African of them are English people too. I think what comes friend. First of all she was a pen friend and then she out at the end is very close to what I have created moved here and they become friends. On another with the books.” day I thought that death is an important issue in every family. And maybe I could make a book in Balancing semi–retirement with work a very simple way so that the children understand As Bruna comes to the age of semi-retirement does how that happens and what it is. So I made a book h e pl a n o n slow i n g d ow n a t a l l? H a s i t b e c o m e e a s i e r about miffy’s grandma. The book was called “lieve for him to find the balance between professional oma pluis” or “dear grandma bunny” in English obligations and enjoying a slower pace of life? [the book won the Zilveren Griffel (silver pencil), a “Well my art, it started as a hobby and it still is. My highly esteemed children’s literary prize in 1997]. wife often tells me that I am not married to her but to I drew it so that miffy saw that her grandma was my work. A nd it is ver y much l i ke t hat , she is r ig ht. I lying in bed, but she wasn’t really there anymore come to the studio everyday, seven days a week. Not and her grandpa was crying and then it goes into a all day, but for a few hours and sometimes on a Sun- normal funeral, all the family is very sad and there day afternoon I am at home and my wife tells me “I is lots of crying and dad tells a story about grandma can just go to the studio and it has always been like and how nice she was. Then they got a little grave that. It is wonderful to make something new and not stone and later on, because I try to give my books repeat yourself, to make a new world that is a little an open end, that life goes on, miffy puts some red bit better. When I make miffy she only has two little flowers on the grave and talks with grandma. I eyes and a little cross for a mouth. I work very hard have never had so many reactions to a book. Many on that to get her a little bit sad or a little bit happy. And that takes me a long time, but I still enjoy it. I also have three children and six grandchildren and Dick Bruna carefully painting the contour of a new miffy illustration. “The hardest thing is keep- ing the drawings as simple as possible” says Bruna. photo: mercis

gain satisfaction? “For people to like my work, it Adapting to the video age still has to be the best that I can do at that moment. One thing that has changed in the Dick Bruna Quite often people say to me ‘oh, it must not be product and style is a spin-off television and DVD difficult for you to draw miffy’ but I still find it series that has proven to be a huge success. difficult to draw her, I try to do it better today than The transformation to video did present the artist yesterday. I must work, to make my stories and with some initial concerns when it was first made. drawings better. I always work on my own. There “It is true to say that when it first started I found it is never anyone around me, sometimes I work on a very difficult to conceive. I had always worked in book for two or three months to get everything nice two dimensions on flat and now they were making Toddler looking over the edge. A typical and simple and as I want it. It takes a lot to black/white Dick Bruna illustration showing get t welve d r aw i ngs t o h a ng on t he wal l (for less is more. a book) that are good enough and to get the Picture: mercis text right. Yes, so it takes me a long time. And when we have a wonderfully normal life. I’m finished I always make it into a little Sometimes I think about when my own children draft of a book. First of all I show it to my were growing up. At that time I didn’t see them that wife, we have been married for 54 years much. My wife tells me I was always working and I now, she has seen everything and knows only saw them when I was putting them to bed but everything about my work. Although she these days now I have grandchildren I take more is not a designer herself, she is interested time. When we go on holidays I can watch them and she comes here to the studio. I feel like play. Sometimes it gives me ideas but I spend more illustration from the book kitty nell (poesje nel) I have to pass an exam. She is very critical time with my grandchildren than with my own the 10th childrens book by Dick Bruna and still when she looks at it and I see on her face children. published today picture: mercis whether it’s a yes or a no. Back in the early days when I was working on those Sometimes we talk about it and she thinks book covers I hardly saw my children. I always parents said that they now had a book to use when the story is not good enough and I put it thought that I must finish my projects on time. someone died in the family. They could show it to away and comeback to it a month or two These days I do think I work a little bit less than say their children and the children think it is the most later and I think yes she is right I need to when I was forty. normal thing in life. Children are very wise. That make alterations and change that. You Some times after lunch I just have a little snooze and makes me happy. Sometimes I do books like that, need someone like that, someone who is then I wake up and I’m ready to start again.” but normally I make them about things that I see, I really critical. I thought as I get older I have six grandchildren now and if I see them play in would be more certain, but it is not the case The artist with his earlier creation (left) black bear. the water, that gives me ideas of course.” at all. I still wonder, is this piece okay or Illustrations Dick Bruna © copyright Mercis bv, So what does a renowned and successful graphic not okay?” Photo: Andrew Balcombe 1953-2007). designer with such a full life, still look for in life to

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FUN-TAZIA is an English speaking nursery playgroup for children from 2 to 4 years of age. Our nursery’s curriculum provides a full range of - Rotterdam - pre-school activities. 10 Toddlers are welcome at Fun-taziaFRIDAY on 9 MARCH 2007 Monday, Wednesday & Friday between 09.00-12.00 am. Fun-tazia is located in: Rotterdam Orchestra in with the new Anthonie van Dijcklaan 1 2661 TP Bergschenhoek mob: 06 2283 7121 ROTTERDAM | Rotterdam Philhar- www.funtazia.nl monic Orchestra (RPhO) welcomes the 31–year–old Yannick Nézet–Séguin as new Music Director from 2008. Internet Marketing and By Fabienne Capostagno the Viral Image The young Canadian will succeed the Russian Va- By Patrick Petersen lery Gergiev, who led the orchestra since 1995. In his first four–year tenure, the Canadian will be Hard thinking on your working with the orchestra for an average of eight image in Internet marke- weeks per season, excluding tours and opera pro- ting immediately brings ductions. Apart from presenting a wide range of re- you to the most exciting pertoire, Nézet–Séguin looks forward to becoming instrument in online closely involved in the orchestra’s community arts marketing: ‘the viral’. and educational projects. The digital form of word Yannick Nézet–Séguin made his debut in the of mouth advertisement Netherlands with the RPhO in October 2005 con- strengthens the fact that ducting two different programmes. Rotterdam was word of mouth has been one of the first major orchestras outside Canada to the best kind for years. invite him to remain longer in the country, follo- wing the success of his European debut in Toulouse It starts with forwarding (France) in November 2004. You know them. Colleagues, friends The new conductor has been since the year 2000 and acquaintances who forward all Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the kinds of stuff from their workplace. It is Orchestre Metropolitan in Montreal (Canada). the nightmare of every network admi- Before taking up his position as Rotterdam’s new Rotterdam’s Philharmonic Orchestra being conducted by Valery Gergiev. nistrator. But then…YouTube comes in. Music Director in September 2008, Nézet–Séguin Photo: Marco Borggreve The source and the cradle of the viral will lead the RPhO for several concerts, including Valery Gergiev became the orchestra’s permanent Theatre (Russia). Currently, he is a permanent commercial. Nice clips, funny commer- special events organised for the orchestra’s 90th guest director at age 36, following other young con- guest conductor of the Metropolitan Opera in New cials and extraordinary home videos anniversary since its founding. He will also lead ductors such as Eduard Flipse, Edo de Waart and York and since this year, he is principal conductor are amply present at Google’s most ex- a major tour with concerts in South Korea, Japan James Conlon. Gergiev has conducted major world of London’s Symphony Orchestra. pensive asset. In the old days, we had and China. Since Gergiev’s leadership, the RPhO famous symphony orchestras, like the New York Gergiev is described as a charismatic conductor, the barber, the lady-next-door or the – the musical heart of Rotterdam, considered the Philharmonic Orchestra, Vienna’s Philharmonic particularly renowned for his passionate, almost gossiping secretary and now we have second most important orchestra in Holland after Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and rough, conducting style. His drive and determina- the Internet in all of its appearances. Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw Orchestra – has the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra. In 1996 tion is said to produce pieces of great drama. His gained a worldwide reputation. It was founded in he also founded the Gergiev Festival Rotterdam, successor is very highly regarded in Canada, has The infectious form of online marketing 1918 by several musicians as a private “Society of wh ich t h is ye a r w i l l t a ke pla ce f rom 5 t o 15 Se pt e m- worked with almost all of the main orchestras there Viral marketing is the most infectious Professional Musicians for Mutual Cultivation of ber. But the most important event in his career was and has conducted many opera productions. With f o r m o f o n l i n e m a r k e t i n g . W o r d o f m o u t h the Arts.” It had paying members and the aim was in 1988, when he became Music Director and Chief his appointment as new director, the orchestra con- advertising is a term used in the marke- to make music for personal pleasure. Conductor of the Kirov Opera, now the Mariinski tinues its tradition of young outstanding talents. ting industry when non-members of a company have a conversation about Rotterdam investigates the company’s product or service. The suspected causes of death New beavers soon to be living in receiver also becomes the sender. This idea is contrary to the mass marketing ROTTERDAM | Next month, specialists will exa- the Beverbos theory applied by marketeers in the mine people who have died from unclear circum- 1980s. The contemporary consumer stances. The specialists will carry out autopsies on DORDRECHT | The Biesbosch nature is a lot more difficult to tempt and of- people aged between 18 and 55 years old, whose and recreation wetland area near Dor- ten changes his or her focus towards causes of death are not entirely clear. Currently, the drecht will soon have two new beavers informal communication. Examples? cause of death is not always determined due to poor to replace the pair that died after an ac- The growth of web initiatives such as information, the fact that forensic doctors do not cident and suspected loneliness. Google, Hotmail, YouTube, Marktplaats recognise murder or other indictable offences. The By Andrew Balcombe and Geenstijl.nl. It is widely known that test will involve forensic doctors, police, justice A new breeding pair of beavers will be soon living Marktplaats had a budget of several and the Erasmus Medical Centre. in the enclosed beaver observatory at the Biesbosch hundreds of euros per year for a ‘mar- centre, which is going to be re–named the Beverbos keting campaign’. The concept was Problems with food banks (beaver forest). promoted word to mouth, which made The animals will replace the last beavers, Makker all further advertisement unnecessary. ROTTERDAM | Holland’s Organisation for Food and Mieneke who died in 2005 and 2006. Mieneke The web introduction of Apple’s iPhone, the trailer of the newest James Bond film Banks in Rotterdam, wants an end to the situation was the victim of an accident when she was hit by A wild beaver. where dozens of organisations, which are in fact a falling tree that the beavers had chewed through. placed on a weblog and the Transavia nothing more than distribution points, call themsel- Her mate Makker died a year later. would breed. By 1993 there were 42 new beavers buzz mailings for €4.99 euro tickets. ves food banks. Further, Rotterdam’s division, by “We think that Makker may have died because of and the area now boasts 150 animals. The new These campaigns are all set up by mar- far the biggest of the Netherlands, is experiencing loneliness but he was also 19–years–old,” said the animals destined for the Beverbos will, however, keteers. Less marketing strategic but trouble with the new Federation of Food Banks, in spokeswoman. have to come from captive stock, said the centre. certainly viral are: the newest down- which seven regional branches have united. Clara The new breeding pair and name for the observa- “We cannot transfer the wild beavers from the open loadable Star Wars film, the design of Sies from Holland’s Food Banks Organisation, says tory also coincides with a €200,000 upgrade of a Biesbosch into the enclosure because they are wild the newest Apple computer and the it is not feasible that there are 77 food banks regis- beaver look-out at the recreation area called De and would not adapt.” videos of Saddam. tered at the Chamber of Commerce. According to Merwelanden. Next month, the Biesbosch is appealing for spon- Sies, only one food bank division should remain, The Biesbosch first released five beaver pairs into sorship and if enough money comes in, the Bever- From mass to man and that is the one in Rotterdam. its waters in 1988 as an experiment to see if they bos will be soon open to the public. Through terms like ‘buzz marketing’, ‘hype’ or ‘viral marketing’, modern mar- keteers try to get this type of advertising up and running. Organisations see that ‘Rotterdam is the worst place to grow up’ this can be more effective than to push that ‘mass message’ through everybo- ROTTERDAM / UTRECHT | A study (4)Midden–Delfland (between Rotterdam and The dy’s throat. In the US, we see initiatives has found that Rotterdam is the worst Hague) and (5)Terschelling (a Wadden Island). such as Proctor & Gamble using a group place in the country for children to live. In an effort to improve some aspects of a child’s of especially selected women to com- Other cities across Holland were also life in the city, the Rotterdam Municipal Council municate with, online. judged for their child friendliness. are spending €160 million on keeping children at school longer during the day. The aim of the Conditions to the viral campaign By Andrew Balcombe programme, which is called ‘More learning time To sum up some important focus points For the second year in a row, out of 467 munici- for children,’ aims to increase school days by six for a successful viral campaign: give a palities judged, Rotterdam scored the most poorly hours a week for 45 primary schools. Also, 25 high satisfactory, simple and swift answer when it comes to living conditions for children. The schools will be opened from 8:00 to 17:00 twice to needs; the message should have a factors taken into account during assessment were a week and 80% of three–year–olds will attend a credible format and offer if you want the amount of child abuse, crime, income levels, pre–school it is hoped, by 2010. In 2009, all children people to talk about it; an offer, a nice education and space for children to play. from grade 3 will attend an hour extra of sport and commercial, but also a joke, a good re- The second edition of Kinderen in Tel, a study Rotterdam’s skyline recreation, said the municipality. cipe or article should give both the re- conducted by Utrecht’s Institute Verwey–Jonker Photo: Creative Commons These measures were presented as part of the ceiver and the sender a good feeling. in cooperation with seven organisations including one giant neglected neighbourhood. Holland does Municipal Council’s programme for 2006–2010 to Unicef, has released its findings. A summary of the have municipalities that do not have impoverished improve the quality of education for school child- Positive effects of word of mouth are f indings said that since 2005, there has been no real areas, 296 to be exact. The town of Rozendaal in ren between three and 23–years–old. It is hoped that it gives a positive change to your improvement for children in Holland. Gelderland near Arnhem was judged as the best that more cultural, recreation and sports activities image, that it shows that you are well– In large cities such as Rotterdam and Amsterdam, place for children to grow up. The Hague, which along with better learning will make a difference. aware of current affairs and that you 60% of children are living in neglected neigh- has a large number of neglected areas, was judged Rotterdam’s minority populations have suffered can be provided with the appropriate bourhoods. This is opposed to the national aver- as being the third worst municipality in the country from poor schooling in the past. Many of the child- information of your target group. age which is 17%. The survey also highlighted for children. Amsterdam did not fall in the worst ren’s parents also have had a poor education and problems in the northern provinces of Groningen ten cities category, however. The four best munici- have been encouraged by the city to attend Dutch Patrick Petersen is teacher/ coach and and , particularly the municipalities Pe- palities after Rozendaal are (2)Naarden (just east language classes in order to improve employement author on Internet marketing and the kela, Reiderland of Bolsward, which are said to be of Amsterdam), (3)Bunnik, (province of Utrecht) prospects and to integrate with society. owner of AtMost.nl and CCIC.nl. 26

- Economics - High quality 11 FRIDAY 9 MARCH 2007 tax services for expats NedCar staying open another and their employers year or two ABN Amro–TCI duel Andries Bickerweg 6 • 2517 JP The Hague P.O. Box 97720 • 2509 GC The Hague BORN | The Limburg car factory NedCar will re- T +31 70 3223136 • F +31 70 3223975 main open for another one to two years longer than E [email protected] • I www.exterus.nl expected. The FNV Union were notified of this by their members at the factory. NedCar, which produ- ces Mitsubishi Colts, was only meant to stay open until 2010 but this may extend to 2012. NedCar Dress to Impress employs 1,350 workers. By Rick Moorman The burden of a retailer in fashion is the OM investigates fraud with same every season. By the time the new organic mushrooms collections co- me in, just after THE HAGUE | The Public Prosecution Service the clearance (OM) is investigating the possible fraud with or- sales are finished ganic mushrooms. A grower and trader from Gel- and the sales in derland claimed the normally–grown mushrooms general have he brought onto the market were organic. If the OM AMSTERDAM / LONDON | The bat- ABN and notified the Financial Market Authority reached a low can prove fraud, the company will no longer be al- tle between the global Dutch Bank (AFM) to investigate TCI for manipulating the point, we have to lowed to trade organic mushrooms. ABN Amro and British hedgefund TCI stock rates. ABN Amro stocks lifted in value by start stocking up cranks up a notch. 6% when TCI sent a letter with its complaints to the for the coming CityCargo replaces trucks bank’s board of directors last week. Media cover- season. In other By Andrew Balcombe age of the battle has also reflected a two–sided af- words, we are spending virtual money AMSTERDAM | CityCargo will replace its freight ABN Amro has been busy this week, acquiring fair, with some English financial papers explaining on new collections and we have to pay lorries with trams, because it claims the trams can 93% of Prime Bank in Pakistan, and hiring ex- that TCI, which holds 1% of ABN shares, wants the for the incoming collections while the reduce the heavy traffic by half in the centre of the perts from investment banks Rothschild, Lehman bank to start giving greater returns to investors and revenues are lowest. But believe me, if capital. On Wednesday, the company started with Brothers, Morgan Stanly and UBS to advise it on that other shareholders are starting to agree. Dutch a retailer does not complain, business is a trial run, lasting until the end of March, with two strategic options in the fight against The Children’s coverage, however, has painted TCI as aggressive, going really bad. freight trams per day running on the normal tram Investment Fund (TCI), who wants to split and sell encouraging shareholders to cash in by selling the lines. CityCargo wants the freight trams to replace ABN. The Dutch regulatory body that investi- bank off piece by piece. A shareholders’ conference One advantage of the purchasing pe- 2,500 lorries per day. The company claims the gates business information (SOBI) has sided with will be held at the end of April. riod is that we need to study what you trams will be able to transport all goods, except for are going to wear in the near future. heavy construction materials, fruit, vegetables and At this moment, we are very busy with garden garbage. Normal passenger trams will be Highway levy coming from 2011 the purchase of this year’s autumn col- converted into freight trams, with extra door space lection. We derive our information from being made for large containers. The tram seats will AMSTERDAM | The Cabinet wants to ceeding the maximum €350 million decided by the international fashion fares and from remain unchanged. The project should create some introduce a kilometre levy for vehicles Second Chamber. In this respect, the Minister has visiting manufacturers in various sur- 1,200 new jobs. on highways, beginning in 2011. said that “this amount has yet to be reached.” rounding countries. Eurlings claims that the kilometre levy is not only I have just returned from Italy to see and Nuon lowers gas prices By Fabienne Capostagno aimed at improving traffic problems, but that it is learn about what you are supposed to Transpor t Minister Camiel Eu rlings said that in the more honest that people pay for using their car and wear. But the things the Italians present AMSTERDAM | The energy company Nuon has first stage, the kilometre price will perhaps only ap- not ju s t fo r ow n i ng on e. T h e id e a i s t h a t t h e lev y w i l l us with certainly promise the fashion announced gas prices will drop by 7% to 8 % from ply to a restricted group of a maximum of 200,000 be put into practice throughout Holland in phases. adepts a really strange winter. Grey is 1 July. The amount of savings that home owners vehicles, like the freight carriages. The introduc- Now, the Minister says that the costs of the system the leading colour in all collections in will receive is estimated at between €50 to €80. The tion is expected to take place in four years time are still too high, although they have been decrea- combination with purple and black. Central Bureau of Statistics says gas prices rose and not in 2012, like it was initially intended. The sing. Traffic experts say traffic problems have in- The fact that we praise the Italian man 85% between 2000 and 2006 and electricity rose investment costs will amount to €3 billion while creased by a quarter during the previous Cabinet, in the Netherlands for always looking by 40%. Gas and light prices rose €150 in 2006. the yearly operational costs will be €1 billion, ex- despite their aim to reduce traffic jams by a third. smart is true, but those who look closer - Advertisements - Eurlings wants to reach the target of reducing con- will see the other side of the coin. Are gestion by 40% in 2020 and to guarantee that 95% they really masculine? Many Italians of travellers have a reasonable travel time. He said are quite feminine in their behaviour that solving traffic jams can be achieved with new –and in the way they dress. Sometimes I roads, more constructive road usage and paying need to watch carefully to see whether per kilometre on highways. It is expected that car the displayed fashion is really meant mobility will be reduced by 10%. for men. Fashion is getting tighter, but I can hardly envisage an international businessman wearing it. Walking aids off The sloppy suits worn by many of your colleagues are ‘not done’ anymore, but the too tightly cut suits worn by DE BOER FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS insurance list others are completely over the top. A MORTGAGES FOR EXPATS self-respecting businessman makes su- AMSTERDAM | Walking canes for in- re that the clothes he wears really fit, not EXCELLENT ADVICE valids and blind people, rolling walking only in terms of size, but also in terms of ATTRACTIVE RATES AND CONDITIONS frames and crutches will soon disappear personality. That has nothing to do with WWW.FVBDEBOER.NL from the basic health insurance packet. fashion, but everything with respect for your environment and yourself. +31 70 5118788 By Fabienne Capostagno You should, just like I regularly do, ask This was proposed by the Board for the Health yourself every so often if a colleague, De Boer Financial consultants Insurance (CvZ). Elderly, disabled and chronically who wears a very tight suit, has chosen A safe fi nancial future is important to you. You demand clear, honest information; trusted, ill will, therefore, have to pay some hundred euros to wear it or if he has just followed the independent advice and creative, tailored solutions. The same goes for today’s business. De Boer more out of their own pockets. The CvZ will, with advice of a magazine without realising Financial Consultants is a competent and committed source for both you and your business, located this new law, save some €10 million. that his business environment wonders if in The Hague area (Wassenaar) and Amsterdam. The interest groups for the disabled, elderly and something changed to his weight. We are located in the The Hague area (Wassenaar) and in Amsterdam. chronically ill (CG–raad) reacted angrily, saying No, the best clothing advice still is: that everyday walking devices belong in the basic respect yourself and your business en- Mortgages health insurance. This also goes for medical treat- vironment. And if you do that, chances Buying a home may be a worthwhile decision if you plan on staying in the Netherlands for a ment and care. The CG–raad finds this proposal are very small that you walk around like long time. Interest rates are low and you could fi nd yourself paying less each month on your alarming not only for disabled people, but also for a Marcel Marceau. mortgage than you would in rent. De Boer Financial Consultants offers a wide range of mortgages, the other insurers. One out of ten insured people Have your colleague across your desk including arrangements especially suited to expatriates and temporary residents. We also offer makes use of such walking devices, which cost read these remarks, maybe he will un- ship’s mortgages and recently began working with second homes in France. between €100 and €300, while the more upgraded derstand the message and you won’t ones can go up to €600. have to have a tough discussion with Pensions According to the CG–raad, the proposal of the CvZ him on his choice of suits. Retirement pensions can be a complicated affair, and we are here to provide clear answers to all will only lead to an extreme increase in costs for your questions, whether they be complex or simple. In this fast-paced world of the 21st century, the needy. The organisation also believes that the Rick Moorman has stores in Holland and tax regulations are changing and are new possibilities for pensions and employment benefi ts and next step will probably be that walking appliances . He gives advice and readings talking to an expert is a wise idea. At De Boer Consultants, we have the expertise you need in- will become part of the additional insurance. The on clothing in the business world. house. We work with renowned banks, but maintain our independence so that we can always CG–raad will soon meet with the CvZ to discuss the guarantee objectivity. new proposal for the health insurance packet. - Advertisements - Information on location We provide clear answers wherever you may be. The client’s interest come fi rst, and we give expert and independent advice across a broad fi nancial fi eld, for both private individuals and LOOKING FOR YOUR NEW PA? entrepreneurs. OUR PA’S ARE LOOKING FOR YOU! José de Boer MFP 0705118788 PA Online B.V. Secretaressepool www.fvbdeboer.nl – in English and Dutch Kennemerboulevard 642 Transpolispark The Netherlands José de Boer is Master of Financial Planning (Erasmus University) and affi liated with 1976 EP IJmuiden Siriusdreef 17-27 Authority for Financial Markets and the Social and Economic Council (SER) . As managing directoWr T: +31 (0)255 500048 2132 WT Hoofddorp she has grown De Boer Financial Consultants into an organisation known both for its diversity and F: +31 (0)84 8703600 T: +31 (0)23 5689140 personal approach. [email protected] www.paonline.nl www.secretaressepool.nl 26090307__T12______126 Sponsored by: - Agenda - 12 FRIDAY 9 MARCH 2007

Friday 09 March OPERA Spuiplein 150, The Hague, 20:15 Hilversum, 17:00 CLASSICAL De Impresario @ Amsterdams MarionettenTheater Residentie Orchestra @ Muziektheater Nieuwe Jonkerstraat 8, Amsterdam 15:00 JAZZ 29 March Amstel 3, Amsterdam, 20:00 Surinamese-Portuguese impro-jazz @ Badcuyp Conference: The future of the Global Workplace @ OTHER 1e Sweelinckstraat 10, Amsterdam, 21:00 PricewaterhouseCoopers Brahms @ de Doelen Charity Auction @ Hotel The Grand Thomas R. Malthusstraat 5, Amsterdam, 18:30 Kruisstraat 2, Rotterdam, 20:15 Oudezijds Voorburgwal 197, Amsterdam, 14:00 OTHER What’s next party @ Melkweg 04 & 05 April DANCE De Kerk met Rednose Distrikt @ Flex Bar Lijnbaansgracht 238, Amsterdam, 21:00 Ilse deLange @ Heineken Music Hall DANScombinatie 2007 @ Fortis Theater a/d Schie Pazzanistraat 1, Amsterdam ArenA Boulevard 590, Amsterdam, 20:30 Stadserf 1, Rotterdam, 20:15 Thunderdays @ Waterfront Illicit @ Sugar Factory Boompjeskade 10, Rotterdam, 21:00 Till 21 April OTHER Lijnbaansgracht 238, Amsterdam, 21:00 Turkey Now Festival @ Amsterdam & Rotterdam The English Breakfast @ Radio Wereld FM Cable 104.6, ether 99.4, 07:00 DAILY Till 25 April www.salto.nl/streamplayer/radio/live_wereld.asp Monday 12 March 09 & 10 March Latin jam @ World Music & Dance Centre Listen to Dutch & International News in English & find CLASSICAL English-language theatre: One @ Theater de Came- Pieter de Hoochweg 125, Rotterdam, 19: 0 0 out what is going on in & around Amsterdam. Great Residentie Orchestra @ Muziektheater leon music variety & hot gossip from around the globe! Amstel 3, Amsterdam, 20:00 3e Kostverlorenkade, Amsterdam, 20:30 May Cavalia @ ArenA Tanya Stephens @ Melkweg ArenA Boulevard 1, Amsterdam Lijnbaansgracht 238, Amsterdam, 21:30 Tuesday 13 March DANCE 11 June PiV Speciaal @ Flex Bar Pallas’s Ballet Workout for Adults & Dance & Ballet Bryan Adams @ Ahoy Oazzanistraat 1, Amsterdam Classes for Children @ The Theatre aan de Haven Ahoy’-weg 10, Rotterdam, 20:00 With Ebony Bones (UK) & Pivkids-dj’s Westduinweg 230, Scheveningen

OTHER EXHIBITIONS The Karnatic Lab @ Badcuyp Siebrand Weitenberg @ Pulchri Studio 1e Sweelinckstraat 10, Amsterdam, 20:30 Lange Voorhout 15, The Hague Till 09 March

th Wednesday 14 March Image from English-language theatre One. People of the 20 Century @ Foam CLASSICAL Keizersgracht 609, Amsterdam Talich String Quartet @ Concertgebouw Till 21 March Concertgebouwplein 2-6, Amsterdam, 20:15 10 & 11 March Ballet: Falling Angels @ Het Muziektheater Bert Verhoeff @ Galerie 32-34 Asko Ensemble @ Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ Amstel 3, Amsterdam, 20:15 Keurenplein 32-34, Amsterdam Image from Buiten exhibition. Piet Heinkade 1, Amsterdam, 20:30 Till 24 March 10 & 11 March OTHER Emigration Fair @ Home Box x E xhibition Centre Four artists from Kalmykia @ Gallery art Korner Saturday 10 March Workshop: Reinventing yourself @ Women’s Business Symfonielaan 1, Nieuwegein (near Utrecht), 10:00 Bezuidenhoutseweg 47, The Hague CLASSICAL Initiative Till 01 April Organ recital @ English Church Laan Copes van Cattenburch 86, The Hague, 09:30 14 till 18 March Begijnhof 48, Amsterdam, 15:15 Amnesty International Filmfestival @ various loca- Marinus Fuit & Jan Jacobs Mulder @ Pulchri Studio Recital celebrating the church’s 400th anniversary Film: The Mark of Cain @ Tropentheater tions, Amsterdam & The Hague Lange Voorhout 15, The Hague Mauritskade 63, Amsterdam, 20:00 10 March till 01 April DANCE Opening film of Amnesty International Filmfestival 13 – 25 March Monisa Nayak @ Tropentheater English-language theatre: Play Strindberg @ KEK Mauritskade 63, Amsterdam, 20:00 Soundclash @ Paradiso Living Outlet Young kathak dancer from India Weteringschans 6-8, Amsterdam, 21:00 Prinsestraat 85 – 93, The Hague, 20:15

JAZZ Michelle David & Boris @ Exit 15 March till 11 April Laura Fygi @ de Doelen Mauritsstraat 173, Rotterdam, 21:30 Homage to Isabelle Huppert @ Filmhuis Den Haag Kruisstraat 2, Rotterdam, 11:00 Spui 191, The Hague

OPERA Thursday 15 March Till 15 July Rusalka @ Rotterdamse Schouwburg CLASSICAL Blue Man Group @ Theaterfabriek Amsterdam Schouwburgplein 25, Rotterdam, 20:15 Residentie Orchestra @ Muziektheater Czaar Peterstraat 213, Amsterdam Amstel 3, Amsterdam, 20:00 Image by Jan Jacobs Mulder. OTHER Arctic Monkeys @ Melkweg TO LOOK OUT FOR….SO GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! Lijnbaansgracht 234a, Amsterdam, 20:30 18 March The Stability of Truth @ SMART Project Space Ballet gala @ World Forum Convention Center Arie Biemondstraat 105-113, Amsterdam The Earlies @ Rotown Churchillplein 10, The Hague, 14:30 Till 05 April Nieuwe Binnenweg 17–19, Rotterdam, 21:00 19 March Buiten @ Vonkel Asko Ensemble @ de Doelen Anna Paulownaplein 13, The Hague Sunday 11 March Kruisstraat 2, Rotterdam, 20:15 Till 17 April CLASSICAL Harpsichord Recital @ English Church 21 March Luminous Buildings, architecture of the night @NAI Begijnhof 48, Amsterdam, 15:15 Commemoration of South Africa’s Human Rights Day Museumpark 25, Rotterdam Image from Weitenberg’s exhibition. @ Embassy of South Africa Till 06 May JAZZ Wassenaarseweg 40, The Hague, 08:30 Erasmus jazz price 2007 @ de Doelen Jesper Just @ Witte de With Kruisstraat 2, Rotterdam, 11:00 DANCE 24 March Witte de Withstraat 50, Rotterdam Postscript @ Lucent Danstheater The Wedding Experience 2007 @ Heavy Studios in Till 06 May

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Acquisition is not appreciated. 26 - Entertainment - FRIDAY 9 MARCH 2007 13 The art of Arturo: bringing legends alive

The illustrious Italian artiste, Ar- show there is this surprise, but there is a poetic story turo Brachetti, is bringing his latest about an adult of about 40 who goes up to the attic inspired production to the Luxor of his childhood to throw everything away. But, by Theater Rotterdam from 24 April 13 doing that, he becomes a child again. At the end of the show, when the attic is really empty, he realizes May. In an astonishing homage to the that in order to be alive, happy and awake as an spectacular art of ‘transformation,’ adult, you have to keep a bit of child in yourself. Brachetti brings to life hundreds of Federico Fellini, the Italian movie director, has said characters, each created in a blink that it is important to be eight and a half in your head of an eye. These include the likes sometimes. This is the will, the force that makes of James Bond, Julie Andrews, King you inventive, even when you are seventy. Kong, Scarlett O’Hara, Darth Vader, and Humphrey Bogart along with To be juggling a myriad of costumes changes, a aquatic starts such as Esther Williams vast array of characters and a full storyline is and even Jaws. I had the chance to speak quite a feat. That’s why the show is very different. There are to Brachetti while he was Italy, prior to three different levels. One is a childish surprise his arrival in Holland. towards the magic and quick changes. Then there By Kim Chandler is the second level, which is cultural, in which you The Turin born fifty–year–old is known as the can recognize famous painters, movies, and intel- ‘greatest quick change artist of the century’ in the lectual innuendo. And the third level is the level of international world of transformation – an art form emotion; you go to the theatre in order to be moved. that has been favoured in Italy for over 500 years. You know, sometimes people write me letters, say- His multi-lingual performances include acting, Gala in the presence of the British Royal Family and ing that they came to see the man with a 1000 faces comedy, music, magic, Chinese shadow-play, co-presenting both The Best of Magic for Thames Those costumes must have been a fantastic but they went back home with a high heart. They story-telling, stunts and caricature. It is no wonder Television and Disneyland-Paris’ A Night of Magic playground for you. thank me for giving them back two hours of their that Brachetti’s ostentatiously unique show has show, which was transmitted globally. It must be It was fantastic. I was a very shy boy; thanks to childhood. Even better, they’ve said, “Your show been likened to Versace on speed. With more than said, however, that Brachetti came to the full at- those costumes I had the strength to go on stage should be paid for by the social security because 350 costumes in his repertoire Brachetti is listed in tention of international audiences with his tour de and do my magic tricks. There was a priest there it’s therapeutic.” the Guinness Book of Records as the fastest quick- force production for the 1999 Just for Laughs festi- who was also a magician… change artist in the world. val in Montreal, Canada, which eventually toured Do you have favourite characters within your This charming and gregarious man was a shy child internationally garnering copious awards. That’s unusual isn’t it? repertoire? who was sent to a seminary on his father’s orders. No, it’s not very strange. During the past centuries, No, not at all, I feel as though I am the puppet player. It was here that he had the great fortune to meet the Behind the mask the only people who had the time to write books They last for a minute – a minute and a half. They young priest, Father Silvio Mantelli, who introdu- I was fascinated to learn that there was a theatre in about magic were religious people. One of the first are not deep. The most difficult part of the show is ced Brachetti to his hobby of magic. As a young your Seminary. books written about magic was done in the 1500s when I am playing myself, in a jacket, just telling man most of his time was spent in the priest’s magi- First of all, I was not in a Jesuit Seminary, I was by a religious man. It was a way to expose the tricks the story. cal storehouse learning tricks before, at 15, perfor- in a younger order and part of their education is to against the fake miracles. ming his first quick-change routine using costumes use the theatre to make young people do something It must take an amazing amount of energy to do borrowed from the seminary’s stock. intelligent. All of the seminaries and religious Like a form of science text book. what you do, not just the touring, but then the work He ‘went pro’ in 1978 at the Paradis Latin in Paris houses of this order have theatres and costume Yes, for them, it was like saying, “If somebody you do on stage. How do you prepare and keep and has continued to illuminate international stage, warehouses, so it was very normal for us to do the wants to show you miracles, bear in mind these yourself so fit for this, at fifty? film and television productions ever since, with theatre; like football and so on, theatre was part of tricks and artistry.” First of all, I live my work like my mission. When I highlights such as: The Covent Garden Christmas the education. left the seminary my friend, the priest, told me, “If - Advertisements - When you began to get the confidence to go on you don’t have the vocation to become a priest, it’s stage, did you begin thinking of a career solely in important that you have a vocation in life, a call. If magic? your call is to make people dream and smile, just INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION YOU First I learned magic tricks, and then I put them follow your call.” That’s what I’m doing. I think that together with costume changes when I was 15. my job on earth is this one. My magician/priest/friend, gave me a book about But of course, to do this, I have cut away many other CAN RELY ON a famous quick change artist of the last century, things from my life. I am doing a very boring diet Leopoldo Fregoli. I read about the wonderful style which is the ‘nun’s diet’; white rice in the day time of life of this man, a star 100 years ago. From that and red, bloody meat in the night time. I never eat point I began rehearsing my autograph hoping that fried foods and creamy stuff, but the pleasure to be one day somebody would ask me for one. And in on stage is so much greater, so, who cares!

With 75 years of experience we have everything in place to help ensure your child will settle in quickly and easily… First class facilities combined with a diverse British International curriculum make our schools a stimulating and secure environment for every child. The BSN - a unique opportunity to experience British education within a truly international context. fact, my autograph, which is very complicated, is the same as when I was 16. Through this book I You’re a very lucky individual to have found your realized that I could do much more with my life, but calling, which very few people are able to do, but I didn’t find any tricks; so, I invented some systems you’re also able to use it, enjoy it, and see other’s and ideas myself, and I’m still using them now. enjoy it. I very often think that if I should die today, I could Keeping it up say that I am happy because I, more or less, followed Was it a surprise to you, as a shy person, to realize my star. It gave me wonderful moments. In the gos- how much you enjoyed performing? pel there is the story of the talents. And I think that When you are on a stage or on a set, you are living a I was lucky to have this talent and to do it, while a dream, a projection of yourself, something that you lot of my colleagues, they have talent, but they don’t The International Choice would like to be. The Arturo that I would like to be is have the chance to perform. Sometimes they have the one on stage, a magical being that can be a man, t o wo r k i n a n of f i c e a n d ye t t h e y w a n t t o b e a s i n g e r... a woman, a child, that can fly or disappear. I consider myself very lucky! This show is a collection of my best acts, but it’s not just a sequence of changes because that would British International Curriculum - 3 to 18 years be very boring like a fashion show. In fact, it has a For more information about Arturo Brachetti, visit beginning, middle and an end. Sometimes magic www.brachetti.com.: For further ticket informa- www.britishschool.nl - [email protected] shows are sterile, after ten minutes you know what tion call: TopTicketLine on 0900 300 5000 (45 cpm) Admissions Office: 070 315 4077 it’s about. You know that you’re going to be surpri- or the Nieuwe Luxor Theater on 010 484 3333 or sed and after a while the surprise wears off. In our visit: www.luxortheater.nl. 26090307__T14______126 - Editorial - 14 FRIDAY 9 MARCH 2007 Editorial Toon Times Reader’s Say The power of the Senate Apart from the amply described poli- by Harry Gijsberts Reader feedback is absolutely essential tical matters debated upon last Thurs- to making a publication like The Times. day, like the issue of double nationality, We would like to hear what you think the Iraq war and the unstable cabinet about the issues we cover. budget, the legislative theatre of the Netherlands saw another old, but still Last week, we reported on the attempts of Geert extremely lively debate reach its boi- Wilders’ to ban dual citizens ling point this week: the necessity of the from serving in the national Cabinet. This is what existence of the Senate. Oana E. Vorniceasa had to say about it: The debate was sparked by the up- coming provincial election – the road Dear Editor, towards which you may have missed because of the government’s lack of About the controversial problem of double interest to explain the issue to a broad nationality, we should be in favour of it, as public, which resulted in a turnout of there is no doubt that we live in a cosmo- 43.6 percent, a disappointing average politan and open system. The matter ad- that has become a rule rather than an dresses individual freedom of choice and exception since the 1990s. The ideolo- personal identity. gical composition of the 12 provincial Many newcomers in any country experien- councils reflects the division of seats in ce an unclear self-perception and some of the Senate, as the chosen provincial them even have an identity crisis because deputies elect the Senators. of the social-psychological effects caused In the old, Roman age, the Emperors by the pressure of integration. were the ones who feared the Senate, To cut off the possibility of keeping two na- which claimed to speak with the voice tionalities has the opposite effect on those of the people, the majority. Nowadays, people and will not help them mentally it seems that those who rightfully claim with a better and faster integration into to be the voice of the people fear the Dutch society. Senate the most. Some even want to And, frankly, it is one of the human rights ban it entirely. to belong here and there, to combine two In the Netherlands, the Senate has not cultures and lifestyles, to express yourself in only the power to delay, send back many ways and to be free to choose. or review law bills, as in the American Distancing from your original nationality Senate or in the British House of Lords, voluntarily is the only acceptable man- but also the power to obstruct and veto Help Wanted ner, not when it is imposed by the ‘state legislative proposals. The current coa- authorities’. lition feared that Wednesday’s electi- ons would result in a Senate minority. Argo Press is a young and dynamic or- Yours sincerely, The sheer impact of such an outcome ganisation that publishes The Holland Oana E. Vorniceasa would have been profound; it could Times in and around Amsterdam, Rot- Amsterdam have brought the country to a standstill. terdam and The Hague. For this news- Former D66 Minister of Governmental paper we are rapidly seeking a: So, if you have something you would like to say, Reform Thom de Graaf suffered from about an issue in the paper or the paper itself, send the concussion that a stubborn Senate us a letter. All letters are considered for publication, can cause in March 2005, when his Journalist/Sub- subject to space. party’s proposal for an elected mayor was rejected by the First Chamber. De Editor Contact our Editor at:[email protected] Graaf stepped down and vanished and see your name in print. from the political spectre soon after. Job Profile: In last Thursday’s debate, the other side He or she contributes a significant portion of the of the coin became perfectly clear. newspaper’s weekly news content while based in If the opposition wants to succeed in our offices in Amsterdam. Weekly reporting on Rectifications forcing an investigation of the decision current affairs will be supplemented by the writing making process towards Dutch support of larger, ‘featured’ stories, interviews and other – In 16 February’s edition, the head characters for the Iraq war through the country’s content. He or she will also be required to collabo- in the All along the waterfront piece on the En- legislative labyrinth, its only chance is rate with colleagues and to sub-edit copy before tertainment page were miss–spelled. The author to go through the Senate. deadline. The candidate would report to the paper’s of the book is called Sabine Lebesque instead of That some politicians fear the power Editor-in-Chief. Our offer: Labesque, and the bridge pictured is called the Han of the Senate is understandable. But A full-time position within an organisation that is Lammers bridge, not the Hans Lammers bridge. to ban it, would have an unwelcome Requirements: on its way up, with room for creativity and indepen- –In 2 March’s edition, we forgot to c red it t he phot- impact on the political checks and The ideal candidate has at least a University or dent initiative. Salary will be determined based on graphers of the pictures published in the Entertain- balances. The Senate’s role is ambi- Professional (HBO) degree and experience in background and experience. The office is located ment piece on the Tusk Theatre. The credits should guous. It is a monolithical hurdle in the journalism. He or she must be organised, creative on the Delflandlaan in Amsterdam. go to Joris Jan Bos for David Krügel’s picture, to decision-making process, but can also and able to write and edit well under pressure. Good Roy Beusker for Ellis van Maarseveen’s shot and to serve as the only way to make sure that people skills and ability to network are also desired To apply, or to request more information: Lucia Contreras for the group photo. process remains open and reliable. and software skills and lay-out experience are a Contact our personnel department as soon as possi- – Also in 2 March’s edition we made a mistake plus. The candidate must be a native or near-native ble. Send your cover letter, CV and writing samples on the front page photo story. The man pictured Tristan van Rijn English speaker and must possess a strong com- to Editor-in-Chief Tristan van Rijn at: with Queen Beatrix is not Turkish Prime Minis- Editor-in-Chief mand of spoken and written Dutch. Dutch fluency ter Tayyip Erdogan, but Foreign Affairs Minister is absolutely essential. [email protected] Abdullah Gül.

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Orange Tax Services - Sports - tax consultants FRIDAY 9 MARCH 2007 Keizersgracht 62 - Amsterdam 020-553 9665 Brave PSV survive Arsenal barrage E: [email protected] W: www.orangetax.nl Overtaxed? We can assist you LONDON | PSV reached the quarter with fi ling your tax return. final of the Champions League on Wednesday by keeping Arsenal at 1–1 in the Emirates Stadium. The Eindhov- en club survived a first half siege by the Sleep Better, Feel Better Gunners, but boldly enforced the Lon- By Marcel van Dam don upset in the second. The image of a bed salesman From a communica- By Tristan van Rijn tive perspective, we Welcomed by an angry cacophony of 60,000 fans have a self-awareness, PSV got a sense of what the night could bring. They an identity, an image. needed to defend a 1–0 home win. If those things are all The statistics of the nailbiter speak for themselves. in line, we speak of a Arsenal aimed at the goal 14 times against five strong personality, a times for PSV. Only one offside against 9 for PSV strong brand and so- showed how the Gunners’ offensive finesse result- mething that can be seen as ‘real’ and ed in a continuous threat to the PSV goal. reliable. The image of a salesman is not In the first half, PSV was completely stunned by too good, unfortunately. Arsenal’s fire power. Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Touré, Julio Baptista had multiple opportunities, Looking into the mirror but failed to score due to a lack of sharpness and When we look in the mirror, we can some brilliant saves by keeper Gomes. see the external part of our person. After half time, the stampede continued and PSV Whether we’ve slept well or not. The looked helpless, especially when defender Alex Alex ‘the Tank’ in heaven after his equaliser. Photo: WFA/Reuters outside consists of the things we say tapped a dangerous corner into his own goal: 1–0. fans again. Still, PSV revived and took control. ‘London upset’ was a fact. and of non-verbal communication, our But then it became clear that the crowd had booed Alex, the best PSV player on the pitch despite his PSV achievement is a good step for the continua- body language. PSV before the match not because of their dislike, own goal, proved to be that one piece of artillery tion of Dutch success in international club football but because of fear of what might come. PSV needed to seal Arsenal’s fate. Not called ‘the and may prove to be decisive in a future UEFA deci- My mother-in-law as my image builder After the opening goal, PSV started taking the Tank’ for nothing, Alex stormed into the box after sion to grant more Champions League tickets to the When I visited my mother-in-law for the initiative, although Fabregas and Henry fired a few a free kick by Edison Mendez and nodded the ball Dutch competition. The quarter final draw is held first time I had planned to come for- blanks at the PSV goal, which petrified the PSV decisively passed keeper Lehmann, 1–1, and the today, after this newspaper comes out. ward with a strong impression. No-one is as critical about a first impression as Feyenoord management a mother-in-law. Dressed in a suit and presents findings on club health More gold for Dutch ice skaters driving in my father’s race car I enthusi- astically arrived at their house. I was on ROTTERDAM | The prospect for the Feyenoord CALGARY | With the World ice skating rounds of world cup matches and with 550 points in time, well-dressed, had visited the hair- supporter legion does not look bright. At least, not distances Championship in Salt Lake the classification, he finished before Carl Verheijen dresser and had studied their interests. I in a short term. Feyenoord technical manager Peter city in sight, the Dutch skating caravan and the Italian Enrico Fabris. h a d p i cked u p my g i r l f r i e n d at h e r wo r k . Bosz concluded in his report on the club’s current gained confidence this weekend by win- Wüst could tell her family a double success story A week later, our relationship was over. I position in the Netherlands and Europe that the club ning several events in the finals of the after the finals. She proved to be the overall best on heard that her mother had said I looked should not expect to win the national title before ICU World Cup series in Calgary. the 1,000 and the 1,500 metres. On both distances too slick and that I had been exaggera- 2009 or maybe even as late as 2011. Bosz stated in the finals, she broke a Dutch national record. She ting my friendliness. ‘A real salesman,’ that the Rotterdam club, which has been burdened Sven Kramer and Ireen Wüst will travel to Salt will look towards Salt Lake, where the final prizes was her last remark. This anecdote has by a financial downfall in the last few years, lacks Lake City to finish their first year of ice skating of the season will be fought for, with confidence made me think ever since. My mother- a ‘top sport mentality’ and that the club has been dominance with even more prizes, in order to put and focus on winning the same distances plus the in-law was rigorous, but also right. standing still for years. The supporters may hope fear into the minds of next year’s adversaries. So 3,000 metres, which she skipped in Calgary. Erben that Feyenoord will play for the title and reach the far, they seem to be doing a good job. Wennemars paid tribute to his already flourishing The economic interest of a salesman knock–out phase of the UEFA Cup within three Kramer has not lost a 5,000 metres since the Ol- career by winning the classifications of the 1,000 Simply put, the salesman is the heart of years, but winning the title and playing the Cham- ympics in Turin. He proved why in Calgary, when and 1,500 metres. His achievement at the kilometre any economy. Without sales no trade. pions League knock–out phase will take at least he won the distance and improved his own world was particularly exciting, because he kept the Ko- Without trade no economy. A self-res- five years, according to Bosz. re cord by more t ha n a se cond t o 6’07 ”48. A f t e r n i ne rean rocket Lee at a minor 30 point distance. pecting salesman therefore has to take the following demands into account: - Consumers are more critical and the Football competition, 27th round Okken, Sedoc win gold at EC indoor image of the salesman strengthens that. The salesman should therefore be- Results: BIRMINGHAM | Dutch athlete Arn- 2005. In Madrid, in 2005, he came close to vic- come an advisor instead of someone Ajax–SC Heerenveen 0–1, FC Utrecht–AZ oud Okken won the gold medal at the tory but was a victim of the turmoil in the last few who tries to force the decision to buy; 0 – 4, Feyenoord – Roda JC 1–1, Heracles Al- European Indoor Athletics Champi- hundred metres in the last round. This time, having - Clients dictate, they are in the driver’s melo–ADO Den Haag 3–1, PSV–RKC Waal- onship in Birmingham on Sunday. 60 become wiser from that moment, he dominated the seat; wijk 2–0, FC Groningen–NAC Breda 3–1, metre hurdles specialist Gregory Sedoc entire race, only to see the Spanish Miguel Quesada - Customers show ‘convenience beha- Vitesse–Excelsior 2–3, Willem II–Sparta Rot- also won the head prize, to the surprise come close, but not close enough. Okken finished viour’: a purchase is no longer unique terdam 0–0, NEC Nijmegen–FC Twente. of many. his race in 1’49”92. or special and a customer can rely on Gregory Sedoc surprised even himself when he years of purchasing; Overall standings: Okken , the 24–year–old athlete, had already sym- saw that he had won the 60 metre hurdles. During - Internet is no longer a place for orienta- 1.PSV 27–66, 2.AZ 27–58, 3.FC Twente 27–57, bolically put a definite end to a long–term period of World Cup indoor in Moscow, last year, Sedoc and tion, but also for purchasing. This should 4.Ajax 27–56, 5.Feyenoord 27–47, 6.Hee- injuries by winning the national title in Gent, two his Dutch colleagues completely failed in the first make the salesman more focused. renveen 27–41, 7.Roda JC 27–41, 8.NAC weeks ago, but the European title on the 800 metres round and were warned by the Dutch athletics Breda 27–41, 9.FC Groningen 27–38, 10.FC was hailed in as the deserved crown after years of federation for their insufficient training methods. Salesmen? At Van Dam Quality Beds we Utrecht 27–36, 11.NEC 27–34, 12.Vitesse hard work. Okken, who was deemed to become the The fiasco led to a break–up between Sedoc and like to call ourselves advisors who like to 27–33, 13.Sparta 27–29, 14.Heracles 27–23, winner of the event, seemed only to become aware his coach, Ineke Bonsen. The training methods guide you towards the solution for your 15.Willem II 27–23, 16.Excelsior 27–20, of his victory during the Dutch national anthem, improved, and maintaining contact with Bonsen unique sleeping needs. 17.RKC 27–19, 18.ADO Den Haag 27–15. when he fought against his tears. made Sedoc confident enough for Birmingham. Visit marcelvandam.com/english Okken had reached the finals before, in 2002 and And suddenly, he won.

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