THE HAGUE, 30/09/03 - By the beginning of the 1990s, the government already knew there was social unrest about the inadequate integration of large groups of immigrants. The government then briefly put integration on the agenda, but measures were never taken, according to former professor A. van der Zwan.

In 1989, a critical report by the Scientific Council for Government Policy (WRR) on minorities appeared. Following this, the then Home Affairs Minister Dales put the question on the agenda. In 1992, the Lower House debated a report in which Dales raised critical questions on the position of immigrants. "But there was practically no policy follow-up," said Van der Zwan yesterday at a hearing by the parliamentary committee investigating integration policy.

In 1994, Home Affairs Ministry Secretary General Jozias van Aartsen - the present conservative (VVD) parliamentary leader - made the subject of integration part of the cabinet formation between the VVD, Labour (PvdA) and the center-left (D66). Eventually, this led to legislation requiring immigrants to follow a naturalization course, but this was "flabby" because there were no penalties for those who refused. "Politicians were afraid of sanctions. It did not fit in with Dutch attitudes," according to Van der Zwan.

Political commentator Paul Scheffer was even gloomier on integration policy. "Social inequality and the socio-cultural segregation in the Netherlands has increased," he declared. Scheffer termed it remarkable that the number of contacts immigrants have outside their own group has declined in the past 10 years.