‘Why did ministers react so late?’ | reader letters

The Taliban received little resistance and spread rapidly across the country. Half the world saw it coming in a very short time that they would take Kabul. Why did the outgoing Minister of Defense Bijleveld and the outgoing Minister of Foreign Affairs Kaag react so terribly late?

The ministers reacted as if they still had plenty of time. What kind of government is this that is also apparently blind and deaf? It makes me angry and sad. Embassy staff and the interpreters who have done a good job for the Dutch military; can they still leave the country? How hard can it be to get them to safety? Or is it the unwillingness of the Dutch government?

These people are rightly afraid for their lives. Look at history, it is not the first time that the Netherlands has been faced with this dilemma. Anyone known to Defense could have picked up the Netherlands long ago. Outgoing minister Kaag had picked up the IS women in no time.

This government should be ashamed of itself.

Corry van Liempd, Rosmalen

—