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NETHERLANDS-RUSSIA-DIPLOMACY
Netherlands in a ‘cyberwar’ with Russia: defence minister
THE HAGUE, Oct 14, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – The Netherlands is in a ‘cyberwar’
with Russia, Defence Minister Ank Bijleveld told Dutch television Sunday,
speaking in the wake of an alleged hacking attempt by four Russians in The
Hague.
“What happened is really dangerous,” Bijleveld told Dutch broadcaster NPO,
referring to the incident, which happened in April outside the headquarters
of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
Asked if the current situation between the two countries could be
described as “cyberwar” she replied: “Yes, that is the case.”
On October 4, the defence ministry announced it had expelled four GRU
military intelligence agents.
Officials said the men entered the country on Russian diplomatic passports
on April 10 and were caught on April 13 with a car full of electronic
equipment in the Marriott Hotel next to the OPCW headquarters.
Russia has vehemently denied the accusations. Foreign Minister Sergei
Lavrov insisted on Monday that the incident was a “misunderstanding” and that
the Russians had been on a routine visit.
But on Sunday Bijleveld said: “People try to interfere in various ways in
our life all the time, to influence our democracy.
“We have to shake off the naivety in this domain and take measures,” which
was why they had taken the decision to make the incident public, she added.
Following these incidents, the defence ministry had beefed up its budget
for cyberwarfare, she said.
“We are investing more in intelligence services to be able to see what is
going on and take measures if necessary.”
NATO was also considering a Dutch offer to use its “cybersoldiers”, she
added.
The alleged attempt to hack into the OPCW network came as the organisation
was investigating the fatal poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in
London.
Britain has blamed Russia for the attack, which took place in March in the
southern English city of Salisbury and also claimed the life of Skripal’s
daughter, Yulia. Moscow has denied any involvement.
The OPCW was also investigating a suspected chemical weapons attack in the
Syrian city of Douma, which western sources say was carried out by forces of
the Russian-backed Syrian government.
BSS/AFP/BZC/1825HRS