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CNN Live At Daybreak

Dutch Police Question Assassination Suspect

Aired May 07, 2002 - 06:34   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Turning our attention overseas, police in the Netherlands are questioning a 33-year-old suspect in the assassination of a leading right-wing politician. Let's get details of the killing of Pim Fortuyn. For that we are joined on the phone by our Robin Oakley in The Hague -- Robin, tell us about it.

ROBIN OAKLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Carol, the gay, shaven- headed, controversial right-winger was gunned down in the Media Park (ph) in the Hilversum last night after appearing on a political chat show.

He is the most flamboyant figure in Dutch politics. He has brought a new style to Dutch politics over the few months that he has really been a national figure, and he has stirred up new kinds of feelings about the immigration issue, because he wanted to put a stop to any further immigration into Holland, the country of 16 million people.

He criticized Islamic culture as backward, and said that Holland was full up. This had made him a very controversial figure, and he had a sharp style unlike many of other of politicians in Holland.

There have been fears really of a political backlash following his murder, and some of those fears were borne out last night, when some skin heads rioted here in The Hague, but things have subsided a little today with the news from the police that it is a white, 33- year-old Dutch national, who is being held in connection with the murder.

It has left the politicians with a real problem. Do they go ahead with the general election due in Holland next Wednesday, or do they hold off? And Wim Kok, caught the acting prime minister, is consulting with other party leaders this morning trying to decide whether or not to postpone those elections.

Pim Fortuyn supporters, running the List Fortuyn Party in his name, say they want the election to go ahead next week, and so they would, because there will be a big sympathy vote for him if the election is held soon. If it is delayed, some of the passions may have subsided, and that sympathy vote may subside too.

So that's the big decision really for the Dutch prime minister and the established parties, because the situation is made for the perfect protest vote if they do go ahead with the election next week, following Pim Fortuyn's murder, just like the protest vote we saw in the first round of the French presidential elections when Jean-Marie Le Pen, the National Front leader, scored such a surprise vote on that occasion. And there is a chance here for the people to vote against the political classes in voting for Pim Fortuyn's memory.

So a difficult choice there for Wim Kok, the acting Dutch prime minister -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right, we'll wait to see what happens. Robin Oakley reporting live for us by phone from The Hague -- thank you.

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