THE HAGUE, 10/04/08 - Crown Prince Willem-Alexander's membership of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) appears to be an obstacle to a possible Dutch boycott of the opening of the Olympic Games. Nobody in The Hague however wants to acknowledge openly that this plays a great role.

On behalf of the Netherlands, Premier Jan Peter Balkenende and State Secretary for Sport Jet Bussemaker are still planning to attend the ceremony in Peking, Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen repeated during a debate with the Lower House.

Verhagen wants to move with other European countries. "If you stay away on your own, you slam the door shut to trade, human rights projects and projects in Tibet." For now, not a single country has decided to avoid the ceremony due to China's human rights policy, the minister said.

More and more European leaders however appear to be considering staying away from the opening. Should a EU consensus emerge to stay away, the Netherlands will have a problem in the form of the Crown Prince.

In the 1990s, then Premier Wim Kok gave permission for the Crown Prince to become an IOC member. At the time, Kok ignored recommendations not to do so due to the possible sensitivities.

Kok according to insiders gave in to emphatic and persistent requests by the Crown Prince and his mother, Queen Beatrix. It could be damaging to the Royal House if Willem-Alexander is present at the opening as IOC leader while the Netherlands stays away.

At the repeated request of the House, Verhagen will press within the EU for the appointment of a Special Representative for Tibet. He did stress that the chances exist that this official would not be given permission by China to visit Tibet. He questions whether the move would be effective.

Labour (PvdA) considers the Netherlands should invite or visit the Tibetan leader, the Dalai Lama. But Verhagen is not considering this for now. Small Christian party ChristenUnie and centre-left D66 have already been urging a boycott of the opening ceremony for a while. A broad House majority does not however consider this opportune.