ONE YEAR AFTER MURDER OF THEO VAN GOGH

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 003069 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958 N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM PINR PTER SOCI SCUL KISL NL KPAO SUBJECT: ONE YEAR AFTER MURDER OF THEO VAN GOGH ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The first anniversary of the murder of Theo van Gogh passed with lightly attended memorial events, but the most durable memorial is a heated and constant discussion in the government, the press and on the streets about integration, Islam, immigrants, and terrorism. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) Family and friends of Theo van Gogh and the City of Amsterdam organized several memorial events on November 2 to commemorate van Gogh's life, encourage better understanding among native Dutch and ethnic Dutch, and to emphasize the importance of freedom of speech, as they consider van Gogh died for speaking out freely, if imprudently. ¶3. (SBU) Prime Minister Balkenende and Amsterdam Mayor Job Cohen attended a memorial ceremony held at the same hour and location as last year's murder. Balkenende called for tolerance and not letting go of each other. He also argued that, No one in the Netherlands should be afraid to give his opinion. Cohen too stressed the importance of freedom and mutual understanding. ¶4. (SBU) In the afternoon the City organized an event at which Mayor Cohen and van Gogh's father spoke, followed by a debate on how Amsterdammers of all backgrounds should live with each other. At other locations in the city as well, debates, commemoration services and seminars were organized that brought together publicists, politicians, Muslim community leaders and integration experts to discuss ethnic tension in society, the role of the media, the ideological motives of Muslim extremists, as well as the need to protect freedom of speech. POLICTICALLY CORRECT NO MORE -------------- -------------- ¶5. (SBU) A year after the event, much of the rage on both sides is gone, as is the political correctness that framed the debate for the decades leading up to van Gogh's murder. Emboff attended a lecture on Muslim minorities in Western liberal democracies by American Professor Francis Fukuyama earlier this fall. An elegant native Dutch woman stood up during the question and answer session and said: Let's be honest: Muslims are the problem. The audience reacted with nervous laughter and chatter. These sentiments have become a common refrain for many native Dutch. RESULTS QUESTIONABLE -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Despite the debate and resulting initiatives to better the situation, the results have been lackluster. A recent poll among residents in large Dutch cities with sizeable minority populations confirmed the perception in each ethnic group that the gulf between native Dutch and immigrants has widened since van Gogh's murder. The Muslim community, especially Turks and Moroccans, views Dutch society as increasingly hostile. As Green Left party leader Femke Halsema said after the murder of van Gogh, [Immigrants] have lost confidence in Dutch society. Dutchborn and raised Moroccans suddenly feel strangers in their own country. People are increasingly alienated and lonely. ONUS ON THE IMMIGRANTS -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Many native Dutch citizens believe that the duty to integrate falls primarily on the shoulders of immigrants, including second generation Dutch citizens of ethnic descent. During a meeting with Emboff November 9, prominent Dutch sociologist Dr. Han Entzinger said, Dutch society sees itself on the receiving end of immigrants; especially the government. Society does not believe it needs to be more welcoming to newcomers. All the same, there is increased awareness since the murder that both segments of society must live together and should therefore take more consideration of each other. ¶8. (SBU) COMMENT: Van Gogh has become a symbol for free speech, and the need to defend it. His murder has triggered heated debate on how to deal with those who challenge such core Dutch values. The debate touches on the underlying question of how to deal with Islam in a secularized and individualized western society like the Netherlands. The debate continues, and many educational, socioeconomic and housing initiatives have been established to address segregation in Dutch society. For now, however, Muslims and non-Muslims continue to live mostly segregated lives. There is concern from both sides over what might happen next. END COMMENT.