(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi195.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fz133%2Fsbr32%2Fsmilies%2Femotsirennxpw.gif&hash=daf5d4c0629798e5da7dd4483f4a7d6f5033bbcd)
Credible? Who knows, I just found it to be a very amusing scenario to contemplate.
http://thenewsgrab.com/1215/kelly-van-der-kwast-war-with-venezuela/
QuoteKelly van der Kwast: War With Venezuela
April 6th, 2010
Seated next to a journalist on an inaugural flight of a regional Caribbean airline company from Colombia, Medellin to Curacao, the Netherlands Antilles — only to be called such a short while longer — one starts talking shop.
"So what do you cover? And what do you make of this Chavez thing and press freedom and what not? Do you think he might actually be dangerous for Curacao?"
No one ever thought it would come this far. But the question is on everyone's mind. We might have to start taking it seriously — soon.
Only recently did a piece in the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf appear titled "War with Venezuela Threatens" by Roy Klopper.
He explains, in a rather detailed fashion, that Dutch defense is taking into account that the Netherlands Antilles, and therefore the Netherlands, could very well be on the verge of war with the South American country, Venezuela, only because Hugo Chavez, it's extreme leftist president, has a bit of a crush on Curacao.
Right of the coast of his nation lay the islands Curacao, Bonaire and Aruba. According to experts from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defense and Development in Holland they are "rebellious players in vulnerable regions," as so quoted in De Telegraaf.
The same ministry goes on to warn: "The safety of the Kingdom and particularly the Windward Islands could be compromised."
The report states bluntly that the country "must take into account the need for military presence in the Antillean region to strengthen the base."
Klopper goes on to explain that never before in the history of the Netherlands has an official report or institution so openly speculated about the possibility of an armed conflict with Venezuela.
Especially the long 'dictatorship' of Chavez makes concerned acutely aware of possible danger. Departmental experts predict that "the situation in the region could come under pressure over the coming decades, partly thanks to the strategic location of the Antilles."
For now expect experts are not expecting an attack, but the future is decidedly less rose colored, say some. "That possibility can not be totally excluded." They go on to point out that Chavez is not only 'friends' questionable regimes like Iran and Cuba, but also has connections to terrorist groups like the Colombian FARC.
According to the ministries that is the reason that it remains essential that the Netherlands continue to play a significant military role in the Caribbean region, even as the Netherlands Antilles dissolve. The Navy and Army are to operate continuously from Curacao and Aruba.
With the recent discovery of what Chavez calls a "super well" of natural gas while drilling off his country's Caribbean coast, there might be even more to be worried about.
Some reports claim that the deposit could be nearly twice as large as originally thought, thereby reaching the territorial waters of Curacao and Aruba. If Hugo already had a crush, this new attribute to the apple of his eye could make them irresistible.
Chavez said Venezuela has been drilling in various spots offshore with Russian, Spanish and Italian companies.
Talking shop, might just be shop. And these matters are best left to experts on international affairs. But if reports are true, and fears justified — and fears are tangible in Curacao — then the region is set for an interesting future, to say the least.
This is very alarming.
We haven't had a good war in a while, it should be fun to watch on CNN.
Did you not rehost that siren?
Edit: lol guess not. (https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg85.imageshack.us%2Fimg85%2F9232%2Femotsmug3126607.gif&hash=23f5e8aa28ccacd18f23a139d95b6cc661c465ec)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi195.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fz133%2Fsbr32%2Fsmilies%2Femotsirennxpw.gif&hash=daf5d4c0629798e5da7dd4483f4a7d6f5033bbcd) This is very concerning.(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi195.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fz133%2Fsbr32%2Fsmilies%2Femotsirennxpw.gif&hash=daf5d4c0629798e5da7dd4483f4a7d6f5033bbcd)
That would be so cool. Preferably if the Dutch fought the war by themselves. I wonder if they could.
They've got a big refinery complex there, right?
Venezuela vs NATO? Oh, please let it be! The airstrikes would look faboulous on CNN.
Quote from: Tamas on April 15, 2010, 03:12:38 AM
Venezuela vs NATO? Oh, please let it be! The airstrikes would look faboulous on CNN.
Nah, more like the Falklands 2. Except instead of the British it's the dutch.
Last time I checked, the Dutch had a pretty good record at fighting Spanish-speaking peoples at sea. Liever Turks dan Paaps!
Quote from: Tamas on April 15, 2010, 03:12:38 AM
Venezuela vs NATO? Oh, please let it be! The airstrikes would look faboulous on CNN.
The Windward Islands are south of the Tropic of Cancer.
Cool.
I'm doubtful, Chavez might as well shout 'I quit!' and save himself the bother of being ousted.
Anyway, this prompted me to read up on the Netherlands Antilles- apparently some of them are due to join the Netherlands in October and so have to enact Dutch law.
A carribean Amsterdam?...
Could be cool for people in the Americas...And would stop annoying American drug tourists in the real one.
Quote from: Razgovory on April 15, 2010, 01:42:21 AM
That would be so cool. Preferably if the Dutch fought the war by themselves. I wonder if they could.
Taking into account that the UK has even proposed closer military ties with France because it lacks the funds to do much by itself, I suppose the Dutch wouldn't even be able to afford sending a battalion there.
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5355872,00.html
The "strength" of the democracies is OSSUM. Every year they get stronger. Heck, France is now trying to get close ties with Germany, so that the triple UK/France/Germany group might be able to, say, do about 5% of what the UK could do by itself in 1940.
As for the Dutch Antilles, they're quite wealthy on a per capita basis. As rich as anything in Europe, which is a lot more than South America/The Caribbean. They would make a good picking, but I doubt Venezuela would try it - it lacks a significant navy, only has some obsolecent destroyers.
Unless the locals are planning to declare independence. Then I think the Dutch would cave and let them go. Those wankers learned their lesson in Indonesia.
I wonder if this would trigger a NATO response? Given Chavez's antics which have isolated him more so, at least from much of the rest of the world, outside his sphere of friends and like minded regimes.
Quote from: Martim Silva on April 15, 2010, 08:02:56 AM
The "strength" of the democracies is OSSUM. Every year they get stronger. Heck, France is now trying to get close ties with Germany, so that the triple UK/France/Germany group might be able to, say, do about 5% of what the UK could do by itself in 1940.
To be fair, th e chance that the 1940 UK will invent a time machine and declare war on 2010 Britain, France, and Germany is fairly remote, so the three can probably be forgiven for not maintaining the numbers of Bren gun carriers necessary to defeat that threat. :bowler: :frog: :ccr
Quote from: KRonn on April 15, 2010, 08:12:07 AM
I wonder if this would trigger a NATO response? Given Chavez's antics which have isolated him more so, at least from much of the rest of the world, outside his sphere of friends and like minded regimes.
I thought NATO doesn't apply to european possessions in the new world? I could be wrong though.
Quote
I thought NATO doesn't apply to european possessions in the new world? I could be wrong though.
Even if it doesn't officially fall under the letter of the NATO agreement its still a hostile to the US power invading without cause a US ally.
The UN would condemn it and ask for intervention let alone NATO.
Which is pretty much why it won't happen.
Quote from: Martim Silva on April 15, 2010, 08:02:56 AM
Taking into account that the UK has even proposed closer military ties with France because it lacks the funds to do much by itself, I suppose the Dutch wouldn't even be able to afford sending a battalion there.
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5355872,00.html
The "strength" of the democracies is OSSUM. Every year they get stronger. Heck, France is now trying to get close ties with Germany, so that the triple UK/France/Germany group might be able to, say, do about 5% of what the UK could do by itself in 1940.
As for the Dutch Antilles, they're quite wealthy on a per capita basis. As rich as anything in Europe, which is a lot more than South America/The Caribbean. They would make a good picking, but I doubt Venezuela would try it - it lacks a significant navy, only has some obsolecent destroyers.
Franco-British integration would be damn cool.
Quote
Unless the locals are planning to declare independence. Then I think the Dutch would cave and let them go. Those wankers learned their lesson in Indonesia.
No way.
Let free people, meant to be under the protection of the Dutch queen, be conquered by a hostile aggressive regime?
It wouldn't fly with the US anyway. NATO or No NATO.
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 15, 2010, 08:31:49 AM
It wouldn't fly with the US anyway. NATO or No NATO.
Don't be so sure. We are still upset about Natalie Hollaway.
Quote from: Tyr on April 15, 2010, 08:29:00 AM
Quote
I thought NATO doesn't apply to european possessions in the new world? I could be wrong though.
Even if it doesn't officially fall under the letter of the NATO agreement its still a hostile to the US power invading without cause a US ally.
The UN would condemn it and ask for intervention let alone NATO.
Which is pretty much why it won't happen.
Quote from: Martim Silva on April 15, 2010, 08:02:56 AM
Taking into account that the UK has even proposed closer military ties with France because it lacks the funds to do much by itself, I suppose the Dutch wouldn't even be able to afford sending a battalion there.
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5355872,00.html
The "strength" of the democracies is OSSUM. Every year they get stronger. Heck, France is now trying to get close ties with Germany, so that the triple UK/France/Germany group might be able to, say, do about 5% of what the UK could do by itself in 1940.
As for the Dutch Antilles, they're quite wealthy on a per capita basis. As rich as anything in Europe, which is a lot more than South America/The Caribbean. They would make a good picking, but I doubt Venezuela would try it - it lacks a significant navy, only has some obsolecent destroyers.
Franco-British integration would be damn cool.
Indeed :bowler:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco%E2%80%93British_Union#World_War_II_.281940.29
Quote from: KRonn on April 15, 2010, 08:12:07 AM
I wonder if this would trigger a NATO response? Given Chavez's antics which have isolated him more so, at least from much of the rest of the world, outside his sphere of friends and like minded regimes.
Opposite to the portrait the US media tries to paint of him, Chavez is far from isolated and indeed has many friends outside Latin America. Portugal, for one. Even last month we promised to reinforce billateral ties.
http://tv1.rtp.pt/noticias/index.php?t=Portugal-e-Venezuela-querem-reforcar-relacoes-em-todos-os-dominios---Amado.rtp&article=329163&layout=10&visual=3&tm=8
Which reminds me: when disaster struck our region of Madeira this year, Venezuela was among the first nations to send in rescue teams.
Where were our "other" allies, the US?
My inner amoral aesthete hopes it does happen. I'd love a good war right about now. Especially if it were just Holland vs. Venezuela, vigorously going at it. :licklips:
Quote from: Martim Silva on April 15, 2010, 08:58:19 AM
Where were our "other" allies, the US?
We were still trying "to" figure out where Portugal is.
Quote from: Martim Silva on April 15, 2010, 08:58:19 AM
Opposite to the portrait the US media tries to paint of him, Chavez is far from isolated and indeed has many friends outside Latin America. Portugal, for one. Even last month we promised to reinforce billateral ties.
Opposite to the way you think, US media has not portrayed him as isolated. The fact that you promised to "reinforce billateral [sic] ties" (whatever that means) would not surprise users of the US media.
Quote from: Martim Silva on April 15, 2010, 08:58:19 AM
Where were our "other" allies, the US?
Did Portugal need US (or Canadian) help?
Generally in a first world country (I know Portugal is pushing it, but still) we generally don't require outside assistance. :mellow:
Quote from: Pitiful Pathos on April 15, 2010, 09:01:28 AM
My inner amoral aesthete hopes it does happen. I'd love a good war right about now. Especially if it were just Holland vs. Venezuela, vigorously going at it. :licklips:
I'm not sure if they're capable of vigorously going at it
I think we should invade Portugal.
Quote from: Pitiful Pathos on April 15, 2010, 09:01:28 AM
My inner amoral aesthete hopes it does happen. I'd love a good war right about now. Especially if it were just Holland vs. Venezuela, vigorously going at it. :licklips:
If Venezuela and Holland got into a vigorous war, would anyone even notice?
Quote from: Martim Silva on April 15, 2010, 08:58:19 AM
Quote from: KRonn on April 15, 2010, 08:12:07 AM
I wonder if this would trigger a NATO response? Given Chavez's antics which have isolated him more so, at least from much of the rest of the world, outside his sphere of friends and like minded regimes.
Opposite to the portrait the US media tries to paint of him, Chavez is far from isolated and indeed has many friends outside Latin America. Portugal, for one. Even last month we promised to reinforce billateral ties.
http://tv1.rtp.pt/noticias/index.php?t=Portugal-e-Venezuela-querem-reforcar-relacoes-em-todos-os-dominios---Amado.rtp&article=329163&layout=10&visual=3&tm=8
Which reminds me: when disaster struck our region of Madeira this year, Venezuela was among the first nations to send in rescue teams.
Where were our "other" allies, the US?
On vacation in the Azores :showoff:
Quote from: Berkut on April 15, 2010, 02:46:31 PM
If Venezuela and Holland got into a vigorous war, would anyone even notice?
I imagine they'd get a white peace after 5 years or so.
Quote from: Berkut on April 15, 2010, 02:46:31 PM
If Venezuela and Holland got into a vigorous war, would anyone even notice?
Only becourse it would effect the oil piece...
Quote from: DisturbedPervert on April 15, 2010, 02:12:29 PM
Quote from: Pitiful Pathos on April 15, 2010, 09:01:28 AM
My inner amoral aesthete hopes it does happen. I'd love a good war right about now. Especially if it were just Holland vs. Venezuela, vigorously going at it. :licklips:
I'm not sure if they're capable of vigorously going at it
Probably not, but then my statement was more of an idle flight of fancy rather than a sober appreciation of reality. :sleep:
Quote from: Martim Silva on April 15, 2010, 08:58:19 AM
Which reminds me: when disaster struck our region of Madeira this year, Venezuela was among the first nations to send in rescue teams.
Where were our "other" allies, the US?
:weep:
Quote from: Berkut on April 15, 2010, 02:46:31 PM
Quote from: Pitiful Pathos on April 15, 2010, 09:01:28 AM
My inner amoral aesthete hopes it does happen. I'd love a good war right about now. Especially if it were just Holland vs. Venezuela, vigorously going at it. :licklips:
If Venezuela and Holland got into a vigorous war, would anyone even notice?
They wanna increase ratings they need Dutch and Venezuelan chicks to have vigorous sex.
Quote from: Pitiful Pathos on April 15, 2010, 06:03:16 PM
Probably not, but then my statement was more of an idle flight of fancy rather than a sober appreciation of reality. :sleep:
We'd have to give them both time to build up before an official start to the festivities. Let the Dutch transport their air force down there so they can fight the Sukhois and give the Venezuelans time to build a raft flotilla to float their army to Curacao
If Chavez attacks right at the same time the US is invading The Hague, he might pull it off :o
Quote from: Maximus on April 15, 2010, 03:14:09 PM
Quote from: Berkut on April 15, 2010, 02:46:31 PM
If Venezuela and Holland got into a vigorous war, would anyone even notice?
I imagine they'd get a white peace after 5 years or so.
This post would make the dutch from 300 years ago cry.
Quote from: Queequeg on April 15, 2010, 03:38:14 AM
Last time I checked, the Dutch had a pretty good record at fighting Spanish-speaking peoples at sea. Liever Turks dan Paaps!
And they got their wish didn't they? :D
Quote from: Martim Silva on April 15, 2010, 08:02:56 AM
Taking into account that the UK has even proposed closer military ties with France because it lacks the funds to do much by itself, I suppose the Dutch wouldn't even be able to afford sending a battalion there.
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5355872,00.html
The "strength" of the democracies is OSSUM. Every year they get stronger. Heck, France is now trying to get close ties with Germany, so that the triple UK/France/Germany group might be able to, say, do about 5% of what the UK could do by itself in 1940.
As for the Dutch Antilles, they're quite wealthy on a per capita basis. As rich as anything in Europe, which is a lot more than South America/The Caribbean. They would make a good picking, but I doubt Venezuela would try it - it lacks a significant navy, only has some obsolecent destroyers.
Unless the locals are planning to declare independence. Then I think the Dutch would cave and let them go. Those wankers learned their lesson in Indonesia.
I bet Martim stroked himself off thinking about how weak the Democracies are.
'Oh yes...France and the UK...so weak...OH MY CASTRO'
Quote from: Martim Silva on April 15, 2010, 08:02:56 AM
The "strength" of the democracies is OSSUM. Every year they get stronger. Heck, France is now trying to get close ties with Germany, so that the triple UK/France/Germany group might be able to, say, do about 5% of what the UK could do by itself in 1940.
There is a difference in military spending during peacetime and total war? :o
Quote from: alfred russel on April 15, 2010, 08:39:50 PM
Quote from: Maximus on April 15, 2010, 03:14:09 PM
Quote from: Berkut on April 15, 2010, 02:46:31 PM
If Venezuela and Holland got into a vigorous war, would anyone even notice?
I imagine they'd get a white peace after 5 years or so.
This post would make the dutch from 300 years ago cry.
It would make the dutch from 60 years ago proud.