Wim Kok saddens me

Wim Kok saddens me

After reading Minister Pronk's (of all people) efforts to rehabilitate the relations between our countries, it saddens me to read the Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok's opinion he so publicly announced: "I don't feel compelled to say retrospectively that the government of 1945, of 50 years ago, acted wrongly," (The Jakarta Post, Jan. 31, 1995). I wonder if he feels the same about Auschwitz, Buchenwald and what the Germans did to Anne Frank, also 50 years ago. To reflect and lessons to be learned? One never learns without compassion. How can he learn from Boven Digul? Some 68 years ago?

But we'll keep his words in mind, for the occasions when Holland starts screaming and meddling again in other countries' internal affairs.

INA SUMARSONO

Jakarta