{short description of image}
help-for-you News . PRT06-8Article.html 8
  Note the UTC time and source of information. Pictures may be added
.   News for Mon. 06 May to Tue. 07 May 2002



Dutch Prime Minister Says Elections to Go On as Scheduled


VOA News
7 May 2002 16:54 UTC
Email this article to a friend.Printer Friendly Version

AP Photo
AP
Wim Kok
(April 2002 file photo) 
Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok says general elections will go ahead as scheduled May 15 despite Monday's assassination of far-right politician Pim Fortuyn.

 Mr. Kok made the announcement on Dutch television shortly after meeting with representatives of all of the country's political parties. He said democracy must take its course and urged his countrymen to remain calm despite the attack.

 Mr. Fortuyn, known for his anti-immigration rhetoric and openly homosexual lifestyle, was gunned down Monday outside a radio station in Hilversum after an interview.
 
 

AP Photo
AP
Pim Fortuyn
(March 2002 file photo) 
Crowds of his supporters have placed flowers and candles outside his home in Rotterdam, a city where his "Lijst Fortuyn" party scored its first major success in local government elections in March. The 54-year-old former academic's party was expected to make a strong showing in next week's national elections, with polls predicting it would capture around 15 percent of the vote. 

Police say they detained a 32-year-old Dutchman in connection with the murder. They say he will make his first court appearance Wednesday. 

Authorities have not released the name of the suspect or a motive for the killing. But they say a search of his home in the central Dutch town of Harderwijk produced environmentalist literature and a supply of ammunition.

 Dutch news media reports quote friends as calling him an animal rights activist. The controversial politician called for Dutch borders to be shut to immigrants, and called Islam "a backward civilization."

 Dutch politicians across the political spectrum expressed shock at the murder and called off campaigning. European officials also reacted with shock and condemned the killing. A U.S. State Department spokeswoman called the murder a "senseless act of violence."

 Riot police were called out late Monday to disperse hundreds of angry protesters in The Hague. Some of the demonstrators blamed the media for "demonizing" Mr. Fortuyn.
 
 

Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters. 

Email this article to a friend.
Printer Friendly Version
    {Maps of the world}
Click for map
 		World events are historic steps in the purpose and plan of God. The outcome of history is up to man - restricted only by sovereign limits imposed by God. The future events are consequences resulting from mankind exercising the gift of intelligence and free will in response to situations developing from past events. This human response is either synchronized to His Will or in rebellion to His Will. Behavior is either the manifestation of love or it's opposite - hate. As Christians we should be involved through loving (caring attitude and behavior for others) actions empowered by prayer, understanding, and submission to His Will.