[Abraham]

Since this subject is discussed again by Mapuc on another thread, I would like to add some info that might lead to a better understanding of the situation around the protection of Geert Wilders and Ayaan Hirshi Ali.

Holland has until recently been a very transparant and open society. Until the murder of Pim Fortuyn (May 6th, 2002) the Prime Minister and several of his collegue Cabinet members used to bike from their appartments in The Hague to their ministries. Personal protection was - almost - non-existent. The murder of Fortuyn changed all this for politicians, the murder of Theo van Gogh did the same for the two members of Parliament Geert Wilders and Ayaan Hirshi Ali, who were threatened by Muslim extremists. This threat was taken so serious and our country so ill-prepared for such a situation that no "safe houses" existed from where they could continue their parliamentary duties in safety. They were housed in military complexes in Amsterdam and Zeist for months. In the meantime the Government bought some appartments for them and their security detail. Since personal protection works with circles or "bubbles" of ever thightly security, I can imagine that this protection has a severe impact on the direct neighbours.

By the way: Lately opinion makers, like some writers and journalists and party leaders in Parliament also get extra personal protection. We are slowly catching up with reality - but we miss the informality which was a characteristic of Dutch politics...