N-arms should be abolished, says P.M.

Press, 23 November 1981, Page 8

N-arms should be abolished, says P.M.

NZPA-Reuter Amsterdam After an anti-nuclear protest by 350.000 demonstrators, the Dutch Prime Minister (Mr Andreas van Agt) said yesterday he believed that nuclear weapons should be abolished.

He told a. meeting of his Christian Democratic Party after the Amsterdam demonstration that such weapons could • only be abolished through East-West talks on multilateral disarmament.

He rejected suggestions that the Netherlands should distance itself from N.A.T.O. and said: “I understand the fears many people have, but fear alone is no protection against destruction. We need practical measures and moving away from N.A.T.O. is not the way. "The Cabinet is aware of its responsibilities and it will take initiatives in the field of nuclear weapons,” he said without elaborating. Mr van Agt’s coalition partners, the Labour Party and the Left-of-Centre Democrats ’66, were among the organisers of the rally, which demanded the reversal of a 1979 N.A.T.O. decision to base 572 medium-range nuclear missiles in Western Europe. The two-months-old Government is deeply divided on the plan, which would involve the' siting of 48 Cruise missiles in the Netherlands. Last week it said it would not meet its December deadline for deciding whether to accept them. The police said the 350,000 Amsterdam protesters constituted by far the biggest demonstration held in the Netherlands.

Virtually all traffic was halted by huge crowds bear-

ing mock nuclear missiles and placards. Light aircraft trailing pro and anti nuclear arms sentiments flew overhead. Two. sponsored by an ex-servicemen’s organisation, countered with “freedom thanks to NA.T.0.,” and, “Why no demonstrations in Moscow?”

The rally was organised largely by the powerful Inter-Church Peace Council.

The rally was also attended by several hundred Dutch soldiers, who risked disciplinary action for demonstrating in' uniform. The rally was not addressed by any Government Ministers, but the Labour Paity’s Parliamentary group leader. Wim Meijer, told protesters: "With our party in Government, the missiles will never be stationed in the Netherlands.”

Mr van Agt welcomed President Ronald Reagan’s recent endorsement of the “zero option” proposing the removal of all nuclear weapons from Europe, which many speakers at the rally viewed with scepticism.