Thursday, July 31, 2014

Malaysian and Dutch PM meet over MH17

The Malaysian Prime Minster Najib Razak has wrapped up his visit to the netherlands, where he met with this Dutch counterpart for talks on the MH17 investigation.

Both Prime Ministers agreed that gaining full, unrestricted access to the MH17 crash site was a top priority, as was the dignified repatriation of all 298 victims.

Our Correspondent in the Netherlands, Natalie Powell reports…

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REPORTER VOICEOVER

The meeting of the Malaysian Prime Minister and his Dutch counterpart in the Netherlands began with a long lingering handshake.

It was a gesture between the leaders of two nations that are still visibly in mourning after the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.

But the discussions held between the two men weren't simply symbolic.

Both say the priority now is to bring victims home and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.

With Malaysia's Prime Minster Najib Razak explaining how they hope this will happen

GRAB: NAJIB RAZAK, MALAYSIAN PRIME MINISTER

"We ask that there be an immediate cessation of hostilities in and around the crash site by both Ukrainian and separatist forces, we ask that all sides respect the life loss and the integrity of the site so that the investigation may proceed. The long walk towards justice begins with this step"

Showing respect for the victims and their families is high on Mr Najib's agenda, whilst in the Netherlands he also went to the Dutch National Crisis Centre in Hilversum, the high-security unit where they' identification process of victims is taking place. There he laid a wreath, in memory of all 298 people who lost their lives on flight MH17

The Malaysian Prime Minister has promised more support to the Dutch-led investigation, if its needed. 68 Malaysian police officers have recently reached Ukraine, offering more man-power at the crash site.

But as far as attributing blame is concerned, some experts in The Hague like SIJBREN DE JONG, STRATEGIC ANALYST, THE HAGUE CENTRE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES argue that Malaysia and The Netherlands are being less vocal than many Western powers, with good reason.

GRAB:SIJBREN DE JONG, STRATEGIC ANALYST, THE HAGUE CENTRE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES

"Getting access to the crash site is priority number 1, the rest can wait. We need unrestricted access to the crash site right now. And the only way of getting that is to utilise all the available influence that is out there and that includes, whether we like it or not is to engage constructively with the Russian government at this point."

And constructive steps forward, Malaysia and the Netherlands believe involves working together.

The Malaysian Prime Minister's visit was very much a sign of solidarity with another nation that has also lost so much in the downing of flight MH17 - there is hope though that with the offer of extra help to the dutch investigators, that conclusions on the MH17 incident will be drawn as soon as possible

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