THE HAGUE, Wednesday - A number of top Dutch military want the option of extending their participation in a mission abroad.

Currently, a mission lasts a maximum of six months. The military should be given the option on a voluntary basis of staying nine or 12 months before they are relieved. A number of other countries already do this.

Staff officers participating in south Sudan in the UN mission UNMIS conveyed their wishes to Development Cooperation Minister Bert Koenders yesterday. He will convey their comments to the government in The Hague, specifically the defence and foreign ministers.

The first months of a mission are often needed to fathom out the local situation completely. Particularly for military or staff officers in key positions, six months is often too short, say the staff officers.