A parliamentary inquiry into Dutch backing of the US-led invasion of Iraq loomed Tuesday, following a report that said there was no legal backing for the government's support of the war, DPA reported.
Leftist Greens party leader Halsema said she would request a parliamentary inquiry, which unlike the probe that led to the report enables those involved to be questioned under oath at public hearings.
Halsema, whose party opposed the Iraq war, said the report's findings were "serious". She said the conclusion there was no legal basis for military operations in 2003 confirmed her party's suspicions that Dutch support for the war was "unfounded".
She was "shocked" to hear the government failed to inform the parliament properly and even misinformed legislators at times, she said.
"The Davids report actually says the cabinet failed to be open and transparent," she said. "This is a political sin."
"There was no justification for the backing of that war and the government should acknowledge that now," said Agnes Kant, leader of the Socialist Party. The party has been critical of the Dutch stand on Iraq and also opposes Dutch involvement in Afghanistan.
"The question whether the prime minister had something to hide," said Kant, "is answered with 'yes'."
Alexander Pechtold, leader of the leftist Liberal D'66, said the report showed the government suffered "tunnel vision". For years, Pechtold said, the prime minister claimed no further inquiry was necessary because everything was known.
Prime Minister Jan Peter "Balkenende told parliament during 16 debates there was no extra information. This appears to be different now," Pechtold said.
The smallest party in the ruling coalition, the Christian Union, called the Davids report "comprehensive" and said no parliamentary inquiry was need.
Labour, which in 2003 was the largest opposition party to criticize government support for the war but is itself now a member of the coalition, said the report's conclusions were "tough and disturbing ... The party is pleased the inquiry resolved many questions."