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Name: Jacob Johannes van Kempen. Nationality: Dutch; Scorpio // Rat.
My living space I share with Ingrid (wife), Mark (son) and ShuRa (she's Burmese).
Beside exploring the Internet, I've spent (still do) much time on portrait photography, astronomy, good music, poetry and other forms of communication.
I'm particularly interested in peace and environmental issues, fate and traditions of the American Indian. I respect trees, love water, and have a fascination for Japanese art, Balkan music, Roman army tools, airships and flying boats.
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'The key'... After having fulfilled military duty as a wireless operator, the telegraph office (PTT), a travel firm and the national press agency (ANP), I joined the Dutch Swing College Band as a guitarist and tenor banjo player.
The years as a touring musician were very rewarding. I visited wonderful countries and met wonderful people; lasting friendships were established.
The 'roving life' ended when the band decided to a change of music style. I was lucky to find a place in a branch of government service where my experience, gained knowledge and even creativity was appreciated. :-)
Being 'between jobs' for some time I followed law courses and learned Russian. In the process I became familiar with Slavic history and cultures.
Tito's death in '80 was a shock, not because I admired the man that much, but I was aware of the fact that he was a major binding force in the multi-ethnic Yugoslavia. Apart from that, I had learned important things about stance and actions of different groups in YU during WW2, and for me it was clear that nationalist leaders would do anything to establish their power in the republics. In my view there was always a peaceful way to deal with the problems of the centralized state.
Having much respect for the Serb people because of their resourcefulness and the determination they defended their land with against the Nazis, it was not difficult to avoid being influenced by a growing anti-Serb mood. This bias and an amazing lack of knowledge and understanding in the West for East-European situations contributed to the way things went.
With Europe (pushed by Germany) recognizing Croatia at the wrong moment, the West's involvement in YU's affairs was a fact and my worrying about the future of the country and its people steadily increased.
That the developments would include the bombing of Belgrade on my behalf... I was not prepared for that. 'Nato 50' may have been the main reason...
I am concerned for the people, whose lives will be affected for a long time by the environmental pollution caused by the Western 'humanitarian action' -- chemicals, unexploded bombs, mines, depleted uranium.
Having said all this, I'd like to make it clear that the rights of YU as a sovereign state were grossly violated. Even the threat with military action was contrary to the rules of International Law.
Encouraged by Nato's 'successes', separatist movements all over the world obviously have concluded that not dialogue, but violence is preferable to reach a political objective.
The 'bully' diplomacy of the US and the UK reveals that 'old thinking' still is the basis for their foreign policy. Honesty and reason should be generally accepted as means to solve differences between countries in today's international relations. In this context US/UK's on-going punishment of the Iraqi people does not make sense either. The operator of the war-machine should know where to find the switch-off button.
On a 'local scale' -- Justice demands the Dutch leaders responsible for Nato's unlawful and in my opinion criminal actions, to be tried and convicted -- Prime-minister Kok, Foreign minister Van Aartsen and Defense minister De Grave.
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