Writ of summons - Van Diepen Van der Kroef

called TOW anti-tank missile launcher, for example, the choice was made for theoutdated .50 machinegun that had been in use since 1950 (see page 1122 of the NIODReport). The decision on armament was taken, moreover, at a very early stage, evenbefore it was known that the unit would be deployed in Srebrenica (see page 1123 of theNIOD Report).46. The choice in favour of light armament was criticized both within the Netherlands andabroad. There was pressure from the Lower House (see page 1128 of the NIOD Report)and from the then Bosnia Herzegovina Commander, Lieutenant-General F. Briquemont,for heavier armament (see page 1124 of the NIOD Report). By using light armament theMinistry of Defence wished, however, to preclude the Air Brigade resembling a regulararmoured infantry battalion, with the result that the necessity for the procurement ofhelicopters might possibly disappear. It was precisely those helicopters that in the viewof the Ministry of Defence made the Air Brigade so special and had consequently playedsuch an important role in the recruitment campaigns for the brigade. If they were not tomaterialize that would diminish the charisma of the unit (see page 125 of the Summaryof the NIOD Report). Moreover, other countries that were supplying soldiers toUNPROFOR, including France and Denmark, had in fact chosen for heavier armaments.To repeat, the choice in favour of light armament was a Dutch choice, for which TheNetherlands was responsible. In no case can the light armament be the beginning of adisculpation for the non, or at least inadequate, protection of the civilian population.Plaintiff takes as an illustration the armament of the Scandinavian UN battalion,Nordicbat, that was stationed around Tuzla, and which had a Danish tank squadronavailable to it. From this it emerges likewise that heavier armament by Dutchbat was notonly desirable and necessary, but had even been possible.47. A political discussion on the armament of Dutchbat arose. A motion was tabled in theLower House in the middle of May 1993 in which the Government was requested, ‘torender the Air Brigade fit for action in foreseeable UN operations by operationalbattalions without delay and also to provide adequate training and instruction withheavier materiel, including armoured vehicles.’.© Van Diepen Van der Kroef Advocaten 2007www.vandiepen.com30