THE HAGUE, 19/03/03 - The Dutch caretaker government believes that no more alternatives were left to US military intervention in Iraq. Carrying on with UN inspections would have demanded a lengthy continuation of the present level of threats of military action, which "would eventually have become an impracticable route," Foreign Minister Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said in a letter to parliament yesterday.

Premier Jan Peter Balkenende said yesterday in the Lower House that the world was on the eve of "A war that nobody wanted. " He added that he had "personally wrestled" with the question of whether using military force against Iraq was desirable. "Force is no solution, but is necessary in specific cases to secure justice and peace," according to the premier.

Balkenende stated that the Netherlands will not make a military contribution as there is no broad support for this either among the population or in parliament. "But faced with the choice of whether you are for Saddam or for Bush, we are for Bush. Hence the political support for the military action. "

The Lower House held an unscheduled debate on the question yesterday. The Socialists (SP) and leftwing Greens (GroenLinks) argued that the government had already broken its promise not to provide military support for a war started by the US and UK, as Dutch Patriot anti-missile systems are stationed in Turkey.

Conservative (VVD) party leader Gerrit Zalm made it clear that his party does want to militarily support the US. The CDA's other coalition partner, the Pim Fortuyn List (LPF), shared the VVD's view. Zalm considered the cabinet's position was the product of the "sluggish coalition talks" between CDA and PvdA", while LPF leader Herben accused the two parties of having working out a compromise in the corridors of the Lower House.