Olaf Nijeboer of the Dutchbat III Association is pleased with the cabinet’s apologies about the circumstances in which Dutch soldiers were sent to Srebrenica in 1995. Afterall of ceremony in Schaarsbergen he said he hoped for a restoration of the relationship between society, the veterans and politics.
“I have the feeling that something has really changed,” says Dutchbatter Nijeboer. “What we have missed is recognised. Because we are valued as individuals, we can go one step further, and conclude something.”
According to him, that closing is a process. “Today we have emotions, we have heard what has been said. And we have to process that in the coming time.” He expects today’s ceremony to reach veterans in the coming week.
He thinks the apology is very important. “Just look at the situation at home. If you have troubles with someone in your family, you also have a conversation in which you acknowledge what you should not have done. Only then will you come together and take a step. Even if that’s after 27 years.”
“27 years later, some words have never been spoken,” said Prime Minister Rutte:
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