November 4, 1996
We are working on a report of the visit of Elizabeth and Jack Penashue to
the Netherlands and Belgium.
Despite the growing protests, the Dutch government is still preparing its
signing of the new low-level flight agreement with Canada.
Our expectation is that the parliament will debate with the minister of
foreign affairs Van Mierlo before the signing of the agreement in
December.
Except two small parties, the majority of Parliament is in favor of the
new agreement. Some comments shall be made on the "Institute" and on
"better avoidance of camp overflights".
The address of the minister is:
The minister of Foreign Affairs
mr. H.A.F.M.O. van Mierlo,
PO Box 20061
NL-2500 EB Den Haag
the Netherlands
fax + 31 70 3484848
Here is the response of the Belgium department of Defence to questions of
the Belgium support group for indigenous peoples KWIA:
Letter of the Department of Defence of Belgium (October 29, 1996) to the
Belgium organization KWIA:
"As promised during the visit with members of Cabinet [he refers to the
meeting of government officials with the Innu - GdG], October 8th, 1996,
you find enclosed the following explanation.
As Belgium, Canada is a member of NATO. The low-level flights, as you
mentioned, are in cooperation with the Netherlands, but not under the
Dutch flag. They take place in the framework of existing agreements of
NATO. The Canadian authorities agreed with the exercises".
The address is:
Minister of Defence
Mr Poncelet
Lambermontstraat 8
B 1000 Brussels
Belgium
In answer to parliamental questions of the Belgium MP Ms
Croes, the minister answered:
1. To enable low-level flights in 1996, the so-called "Ex-
change of Notes" was prepared between the Canadian and
the Belgium Minister of Defence.
2. We expect that the possible participation of the Belgium
Air Force will be evaluated yearly. Because of this,
entering into a MMOU which encompasses more than one year
will not be considered.
3. Belgium will respect the conditions set by the Canadian
military authorities.
4. As mentioned in earlier documents, the EIS of the Canadi-
an government reports convincingly on all possible envi-
ronmental consequences.
5. Since 1995, a trial period is set were there are no costs
involved in using the installations.
6.a. At each occasion a balance has to be found between the
necessity of training on low altitude and minimal hin-
drance to the environment.
Besides that, the aim will be to use all possible alter-
natives to avoid concentration of hindrance. This happens
by the spread of these trainings by all the countries of
NATO and other countries who open their air space for
this, as for example Morocco.
b. Above-mentioned balance and the trainings value, as a
result from that, are in keeping with the cost price of
this and the considered budget cuts.
7. At the same time, the participation of the Air Force in
the exercises in Nevada will be evaluated yearly. This
evaluation is not connected with the exercises in Canada.
8. Yearly, there will be 3 periods planned with a total
duration of about 10 weeks.
9. The Belgium government respects the guidelines and re-
strictions of the local civilian and military authorities
in the framework of the mentioned "Environmental Impact
Statement".
Comment of the Dutch Innu Support Group:
We will ask the Dutch government on which conditions the Belgiums are
participating along with the Royal Netherlands Air Force.
The strange thing is that Belgium is referring to NATO. Until now, the
exercises were not regarded as NATO exercises.
Govert de Groot
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Comments from NativeNet listowner, Gary Trujillo (gst@gnosys.svle.ma.us):
For more information on this subject, please refer to the Innu Nation Web
page at "http://www.web.apc.org/~innu/"