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Sail

A new dimension | 14.01.2007 17:17 | Analysis | London | World

A new dimension

The war on terror has gained a new dimension as Sail Amsterdam has been approaching in the Netherlands, August 17, 05. Statements were given by the authorities that the event could be a target of a new terrorist-attack. The Netherlands was one of the American allies in the war on terror, in Iraq and elsewhere, which more or less inaugurated the 21st century
Sail is manifestation of sailing-ships from around the world in the port of Amsterdam, quite near a replica of an old VOC-ship, the Amsterdam, situated next to the Netherlands Maritime Museum. This ship, an employment-project turned into a tourist-attraction, was built by the initiative of the same city-council that decided to expand the Anne Frank House into a more general minorities-museum at the time.
The Dutch VOC (United East Indies Company) was one of the first multinationals on earth, at the peak of its power in the 17th century, and the ship, the Amsterdam, is seen by many as a symbol of colonialism and even contemporary capitalism and globalisation.
To be able to build the Anne Frank Museum, many student-apartments had to be torn down, which caused a certain controversy. The mayor of Amsterdam at the time was also known to be unfriendly to the squatters-movement. And in this way (the plan to build) such a museum was seen as a hypocritical manoeuvre by many people. The decision to build it anyway was made in the 1990's, shortly before an El Al-airplane crashed in the middle of a densely populated living-area in Amsterdam South East, where many minorities lived.
The accident is still seen by some as a precedent of the September 11 (2001) terrorist-attack in New York, years later, as it has possibly inspired a group of alienated Arab men in the West to imitate such a catastrophe.
All people imitate to some extent.
In cafés in Amsterdam speculations went round if the city would become as famous now as London or Madrid or even New York in getting a bomb-attack.
A few days ago, in the morning, a loud thunderclap was heard from the sky, before it began to rain heavily, and someone at the flea market had asked: "Have they already begun?"

Our special reporter in the Netherlands has been to the south-western part of the country, Zealand, and wrote that this particular area has commercialised tremendously. In a beach-tent with a view over the sea, near the village of Renesse, he often used to visit to get some peace of mind, this year for the first time, a large quantity of parasols had been introduced on its terrace. These had been installed because the local middle class, trying to live off tourism around the beach, suddenly became oriented in receiving more so quiet and decent families than loud, but especially poor teenagers, it was suggested.
To the same effect and to also further promote so-called norms and values, large and serial bungalow-parks have been built in or near natural areas in increasing number, despite all resistance. The rules are that these bungalows may not really be inhabited more than half of the year, so that they are not transformed into ordinary living-space. But the locals still have a good income from their occupation. And as environmentalists, developers, local and national authorities and Europe all have a say, agricultural areas have been likewise reshaped into natural areas, artificially.
Renesse was one of the first to be called a European municipality.
If only the squatters knew of all this!
The parasols were partially associated with the war on terror. They give a sense of security and protection, one of the waitresses had said. The unique view over the sea from our beach-tent was totally gone however.
Our reporter sat next to a couple in bathing suits, who had come from near the German border. They were eating hamburgers and had a glass of beer, but little sunshine on that sunny day.
The male had tried to touch the leg of his wife or girlfriend with one foot, but she had replied: "No, not now, Jan, tonight ... on the couch."
This report was given, as if pertaining to the Euro, or even globalisation itself.
We are still trying to correctly interpret this message from our special correspondent.
There are various applications.

A new dimension

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