THE HAGUE, 14/02/01 - When the Japanese Emperor Akihito visited the Netherlands last May, the government did not appeal for restrictions to be imposed on the freedom of speech of East Indies veterans. Prime Minister Wim Kok made this statement in writing yesterday in answer to questions from MP Agnes Kant (Socialist party SP).

The Prime Minister declared that the government did call on all the local authorities involved to make a dignified visit by the Japanese Emperor possible. But there was no question of restrictive measures that would contravene the right to freedom of speech.

After the Japanese Emperor's three-day state visit last year, the foundation for Japanese debts of honor maintained that the right to demonstrate had been contravened. Demonstrators in Apeldoorn, Leiden, The Hague and Amsterdam were allegedly kept at a great distance from the imperial party. In addition, the police confiscated protest signs and did not allow demonstrators to unroll banners.

It was also reported in a television program last month that Queen Beatrix had made a personal request that the Japanese Emperor should not be embarrassed by demonstrations by former residents of the East Indies. After the program, MP Kant wanted the prime minister to explain whether this was a violation of the right to free speech and expression. Kok claimed that there was no question of this.