US Ambassador Attacked by Dutch Journalists Simply For Pointing Out Creeping Islamization of Holland
After his first press conference, the new US ambassador to the Netherlands faced a wave of public criticism. Journalists reminded him of his unflattering and, what's more important, false statements regarding the Netherlands and demanded an explanation.
Alyona Pivkina with the details.
The first public speech in the new position resulted in controversy — a global diplomatic one. Here in The Hague, at the audience chamber of the American embassy, dozens of journalists gathered at the first press conference of Pete Hoekstra, the new US ambassador to the Netherlands. Traditionally, at such meetings, ambassadors talk about themselves and their plans. But everything went wrong. The main topic was Hoekstra's interview that he'd given before arriving in Holland.
- You mentioned that there are no-go zones in the Netherlands and that cars and politicians are being set on fire.
- I didn't say that. That's an incorrect statement. We would call it "fake news.”
The only problem is that Hoekstra did say it in 2015. Here's the statement.
Pete Hoekstra: "The Islamic movement has now gotten to a point where they have put Europe into chaos. Chaos in the Netherlands, where cars and politicians are being set on fire... and, yes, there are no-go zones in the Netherlands".
It gets more and more peculiar. The Nieuwsuur correspondent soon returned to the topic, but Hoekstra started denying what he said a couple of minutes ago.
- You called it fake news.
- I didn't call that fake news. I didn't use the word today at all.
This statement generated a wave of outrage in the country. The media criticized the new ambassador. His first press conference at the American embassy in The Hague started with an apology, but it wasn't enough.
- Will you be visiting the no-go zones?
- It's not about my personal views but the policy of the current US administration. I was appointed by the US President, and one interview mustn't influence my work.
But the press had a different opinion. Every question was devoted to this particular topic. One of the journalists even asked the ambassador to read the inscription on the fireplace tablet with a quote from the second US President — John Adams. "May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof"/
And when Hoekstra didn't answer the question the tension reached its peak.
- Mr. Ambassador, can you tell us which Dutch politicians were set on fire in recent years?
- This is the Netherlands. You must answer the questions.
- Please, tell us how it works.
The controversy continued in Washington. At a Department of State briefing, Under Secretary Steve Goldstein got a scolding. He was asked how a person like Hoekstra even became an ambassador. He promised to deal with the situation.
Alyona Pivkina and Ruslan Sleptsov. Vesti