The Hague, November 13, 1996
During the parliamental debate of November 12, 1996 on the budget
for 1997 of the Netherlands Ministry of Defence, the following
was said regarding the Dutch low-level flights above the Innu in
Canada (transcript and translation by Innu Support Group, the
Netherlands):
11.30 pm: Mrs. Leoni Sipkes (Green-Left):
"...One question I forgot to ask. Repeatedly, we were promised
that, pertaining to low-level flying, nothing irreversible would
happen. I am wondering when we can expect to see the new treaty.
I thought the plan was to start doing extra low-level flying in
January. Could you please respond to that? Is the treaty availa-
ble yet?"
Mrs A.M.A. van Ardenne-van der Hoeven (Christian Democrats):
"Chairman, I would like to ask Mrs. Sipkes the following: I don't
understand your first question. It was not directed to me, but to
the minister, on low-level flying. Nothing irreversible. I can
not recall that such a statement has been made. Maybe you can
explain what you meant to say?"
Mrs. Sipkes:
"Of course. I believe that even... the last time was during the
general parliamentary deliberations before the holidays, the
general deliberations on the subject of low-level flying.
My point is that is was agreed that the Parlement would be ena-
bled to discuss this treaty before it is put into effect. Mr
Hoekema (D66=Progressive Liberals) is nodding. Please forgive me
for not...".
Mrs. Ardenne:
"You are talking about extension of the current treaty."
Mrs. Sipkes:
"Yes... We have had the Memorandum of Understanding and we still
need to receive the treaty. And before extension is put into
practice, we were assured - I believe it was in the general deli-
berations of May or June - that we, as Parliament, would be allo-
wed to discuss this. So what I hope, is to be able to see this
treaty: nothing more, nothing less."
Mr. Jan Hoekema (D66):
"I want to support Mrs. Sipkes. It has been promised that we
would discuss the bilateral treaty between the Netherlands and
Canada in December this year. Mrs. Sipkes is totally justified to
request this."
Mrs. Ardenne:
"I agree, but in the mean time, the decision to continue with the
flying has been taken. That we would take a look at the text, has
indeed been agreed. I believe that will be at the end of this
year. December, approximately. But the decision to continue with
the flying has been taken by Parliament and government."
Mrs. Sipkes:
"All right, chairman..."
Undersecretary of Defence Gmelich Meijling answers at 11.59 pm:
"...First, on the issue of low-level flying in Canada. Mrs. Sip-
kes asked about low-level flying in Canada. The Parliament will
receive the bilateral treaty as soon as possible. We will get...
you know, there is a MOU and a bilateral treaty. That will proba-
bly happen by the end of December. Why? Because negotiations with
Canada, due to all kind of technical reasons, on which I don't
know the details, are taking longer than expected. But you will
be asked to endorse the treaty. I have indeed, mr. Hoekema has
called my attention to that, agreed to do so in the deliberations
with the Parliamentary Commission on Defence and during the ple-
nary debate in parliament in February. So we can speak about that
together. It is my expectation that will take place some time in
January.