MH17: Europe Must 'Slam its Fists' on the Table (de Volkskrant, The Netherlands)
"This unacceptable situation has caused great indignation. Here
and there, calls are even being made for the Netherlands' military and F16s to
be sent to Ukraine to teach the separatists a lesson. However understandable, that
road cannot be taken. ... Putin makes grateful use of the incapacity - and unwillingness
- of the European Union to slam its fists on the table. ... Now is the time for
Europe to adopt and implement the economic sanctions announced by President
Obama against Russia. The E.U. must pull together among themselves and with the
United States."
The
anger of Mark Rutte was not pretend (video top right).
When the prime minister saw the shocking images of the bodies of victims on fatal
flight MH17 being hauled about, and drunk separatists making the work of observers
from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) impossible, he rightfully showed his indignation.
Nevertheless,
last weekend Rutte made an impression of impotence. He
had an "intense" phone conversation with
Russian President Putin, who sent him away empty
handed. Foreign Minister Timmermans (second video,
right) flew back and forth to Kiev without being able to establish the conditions
for an investigation into the causes of the disaster, and what has happened to
the victims' mortal remains is entirely unclear.
This
unacceptable situation has caused great indignation. Here and there, calls are
even being made for the Netherlands' military and F16s to be sent to Ukraine to
teach the separatists a lesson. However understandable, that road cannot be
taken. The Netherlands cannot operate on its own, but Prime Minister Rutte must take the lead in achieving the necessary
security conditions to enable the OSCE to enter the disaster area begin an unimpeded
investigation of the facts.
Litmus Test for Russia
Russia
is also part of the OSCE [Organization for Security
and Co-operation in Europe]. Vladimir Putin cannot get away with his statement
that he has no influence over what's happening in east Ukraine. His active
participation in the international investigation and the orderly storage and
repatriation of the victims is a litmus test for Russia's credibility to be what
is known in genteel diplomatic language as a "friendly power."
Posted By
Worldmeets.US
Meanwhile,
the crisis in Ukraine has taught us that Putin makes grateful use of the incapacity
- and unwillingness - of the European Union to slam its fists on the table. British
Prime Minister Cameron and Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt
touched on this sore point last weekend (speech by Carl Bildt, right). Even former Eastern Bloc countries have criticized
the velvet approach toward Putin taken by some heads of government (including
Rutte and Chancellor Merkel).
Now is
the time for Europe to adopt and implement the economic sanctions announced by President
Obama against Russia. The E.U. must pull together among themselves and with the
United States. Economic gain can no longer be an argument for appeasement
toward the Kremlin. It is the solemn duty of the international community to nip
the Ukraine crisis in the bud and help the devastated country stand on its own.
