THE HAGUE, 08/03/03 - The caretaker government is after all prepared to execute the Pim Fortuyn List (LPF) motion, whereby a specific group of asylum-seekers would receive a residence permit. Nonetheless, the chances are that the next government will have to cut the Gordian knot.

It is also not yet clear how the motion can be given shape. Caretaker Immigration Minister Hilbrand Nawijn said Friday after the weekly cabinet meeting that he and his colleagues are still discussing its execution and he does not know for sure whether it can all be done in the current administrative period. The job may be passed on to the next cabinet, according to Nawijn.

The LPF motion appeals for creating a once-off ruling on the basis of which about 2,300 asylum seekers, who have already been waiting for the result of their first asylum application for more than five years, would receive a residence permit under certain conditions. Premier and Christian democrat (CDA) leader Balkenende initially refused to accept the motion but is now prepared to create "some sort" of arrangement.