Prosper Joannes Antonius Gerardus Ego on 17 juli 1927 born. He is founder and until now president of the Veterans Legion (OSL), one of the most successful far-right organizations in the Netherlands.
Ego's life is dominated by anti-communism. With his penchant for authoritarian forms of governance, ethnocentrism and his aversion to anything with 'left’ he has to do is call a typical representative of the extreme right wing of the VVD. But what makes him interesting is his uncritical attitude towards his fellow fighters in the anti-communist struggle.
If twenty fights Prosper Ego as Private First Class during the police actions with the Dutch East Indies. From that moment he can call himself a veteran, a label that his life will continue to carry with pride. Ego is also active in the Legion Veterans Netherlands (VLN). The VLN is an authoritarian right-wing organization for veterans(1). Ego knows how to kick it to the board and remain a member of this organization 1958. In that year created some conflicts in the organization of financial and ideological. Some VLN'ers wants after the events in 1956 Hungary namely to take up arms and form a vigilante against communism. In addition, a group within the VLN targeting an underground organization, Carnation, op. This organization must perform violent acts against the decolonization policy and advancing socialism. This split some members, including Ego, off and focuses on the OSL(2). The VLN will blow, partly due to the changing political culture in the sixties, not overcome quickly.
OSL
Ego is now chairman of the OSL. The OSL was the first year an organization for ex-servicemen who fought in the Dutch East Indies and Korea. It led to 1970 a fairly dormant. Ego is in the fifties already be characterized as a right-wing reactionary who indomitable Communists- and socialists-hatred. This hatred dominates his political thought such that he is very critical in his career towards its allies in this fight. Illustrative is the appearance of an article written by him in the Belgian magazine 'Pennoen’ in 1958. 'Pennoen’ at that time was to place in the far right corner and openly sympathized with the Southern European dictators Franco and Salazar. In addition, work has been placed in the magazine of the Belgian former collaborator Wies Moens.
In the sixties Ego aspires for a short time a political career and adjusts itself 1963 candidate for the House on behalf of the Liberal Constitutional Party (LSP), a far-right party led by the equally right-wing mayor of Gorinchem LRJ. Ridder van Rappard(3). However, succeeded in obtaining a seat this party. In 1966 Ego tries again and is a candidate for the list Rappard in the provincial elections. This is the last time that Ego has been seduced into a role in the foreground in party politics. Other known activities in the sixties Ego include participation in 1968 a pro-US demonstration in The Hague at the time of the Vietnam War and participation in the Committee Commemoration William the Silent in April 1968 holds a meeting in Delft(4). Verder is Ego in 1963 one of the founders of the Dutch Foundation for South African Werkgemeenschap, the most active Dutch pro-apartheid organization.
In the seventies Ego appears no way to get under the influence of the left-liberal wind that blows in those days. On The Contrary, For example, he takes part in the ultra-reactionary Noenmaalgezelschap. This group of 'neat’ Men come together monthly and grumbles about all kinds of social innovations, after having listened to a lecture by a like-minded. The organization is not really evil, all want the president in an interview told IPS that he seeks a general rule in Netherlands. Ego is, incidentally, accompanied by Knight and Mr. Rappard. L. of Heyningen(5).
The main occupation of Ego continues his involvement with the OSL. This organization has evolved over the years has changed somewhat in character and sets also in the seventies open to concerned citizens. The organization is still active. The core of the organization's anti-communism and the fight against leftist degradation of Netherlands. Ego plays a prominent role in and is chairman of various organizations that are formed from the OSL to give this form of struggle.
An example of such an organization, the Foundation for Freedom and Human Rights, the Dutch branch of the World Anti-Communist League (ACL).
The WACL is in 1966 founded by the governments of Taiwan and South Korea in cooperation with the Anti-Bolshevist Block of Nations and with the support of the controversial Moonies. The WACL has since been populated by prominent right-wing politicians, representatives of the Catholic Church, Former Nazi-collaborators, right-wing terrorists and those involved in right-wing dictatorships in Central- and Latin America. To give some idea of whom there have been a member of this organization, a brief overview of high-profile members:
- Klaus Barbie, former war criminal nicknamed "The Butcher of Lyon";
- Miko Alarcón, responsible for the death squads in Guatemala and head of the department in that country WACL;
- Giorgio Almirante, Minister of Justice in Italy 1943 and after the war, the founder and leader of the fascist MSI;
- Chao Sopsaisana Southakakoumaar, the chairman of the WACL department in Laos in 1971 arrested in Paris with sixty pounds of pure heroin, but was released because of his diplomatic status;
- Stephano of Chiaia, an extreme right-wing Italian terrorist. He is also responsible for the bombing of Bologna station in 1980, waar 85 deaths;
- Alfred Gielen, former employee of Goebbels;
- Sun Moon, leader of the controversial Moonies and co-founder of the WACL;
- Ryochi Sasakawa, a Japanese war criminal, co-founder of the WACL and multimillionaire;
- Alfredo Stroessner, former dictator of Paraguay.
- In addition, there have been involved in over the years all kinds of openly Nazi and violent organizations in WACL
International
The involvement of all controversial right-wing and right-wing extremist organizations can Ego obviously care less, because he is from the early seventies active for WACL. He visits at least from 1971 WACL various international conferences all over the world (Taiwan, Japan, Mexico, Luxembourg, Australia). He is also Chairman of the aforementioned Dutch branch of the WACL. The department's goal statuair: "Fighting for freedom and human rights in the world and especially in the Netherlands and the fight against communism, neo-Nazism and neo-fascism plugged in cooperation with other countries in WACL(6). In 1990 will cooperate to a head when he is elected as president of the European section of the WACL.
Except WACL Ego is internationally active in other areas as anti-communist. So he has long been a supporter of the authoritarian regime in Taiwan and regularly visit this country. He takes part in include a 'Journalist Fact Finding Tour’ by Asia organized by a front organization of the controversial sect Moon.
Ego is also a strong supporter of the Apartheid regime in South Africa. As mentioned earlier, he was one of the founders of the NZAW. He sees the racist regime in South Africa as a protective rampart against it in his eyes communist ANC. In 1981, during the heyday of Apartheid, Ego draws a brotherhood agreement with South Africa.
In this context, he also had contact with Ada Stuijt. This former Miss Holland lives in the seventies and eighties in South Africa and is married to the violent pro-apartheid fighter Robert van Tonder. She is a key figure in the pro-Apartheid Network and appears to be involved late seventies when buying media attention by the South African government in Western Europe (Mulder called Gate scandal). Is frequently rumored that she is employee of the South African intelligence BOSS. So they are trying to infiltrate the Netherlands in the Holland Committee on Southern Africa (KZA).
Peak
In the late seventies, early eighties can be seen as the 'finest hour’ Ego and OSL, not only in terms of membership. In the Netherlands, the support to and the activities of various pressure groups and rapidly. The squatters' movement experienced its heyday, anti-apartheid movement, pacifism, Anti-nuclear movement and environmental movement are the center of attention and have the necessary political influence. These organizations are an ideal fit Ego and his, who are active in various organizations, who oppose this action-culture. Examples of organizations which are active Ego is the Interchurch Committee Bilateral Disarmament (ICTO) that promotes deployment of cruise missiles in the Netherlands and the Foundation Church No Money for violence that opposes interference of the Churches in the Anti-Apartheid Struggle.
Also makes the OSL itself furore and confronts on all fronts to. There is no peace without a commercial plane demonstration of the OSL is over with lyrics like: "Rather a rocket in the garden, a Russian in the kitchen’ en 'Stop de SS20-racket'. Additionally protesters harassed and pelted by members of the OSL youth organization Young Constructive Netherlands (CJN). Stavast lets itself out in force and advocates to include squats as the Great Keijser shelling with tanks and close rioting squatters and let drains by ambulance. There is also advocating vigilante against this leftist 'terror'.
This call does not appear on deaf ears and various OSL'ers then put these ideas into practice by forming gangs. These are covered by other demonstrators during a blockade of Dodewaard nuclear power plant in 1981 and during a Onkruit demonstration at Soesterberg in the same year.
To protect its image dissociates the OSL itself unwaveringly such violence, but often turn their members involved. In words Ego relies in this period on the support of the 'Silent Majority'. In practice, however, he appears to wipe his ass with democracy and need only the maintenance of law and order by a strong government, supported by firm action by the police and army. In Stavast in this period also argued explicitly for a military junta as a rescue for Netherlands.
Xenophobia
When in the second half of the eighties decrease the activities of the left side of the Netherlands, and from 1989 Communism as an enemy alter rapidly (after the fall of the Berlin Wall collapsed Warsaw Pact together) changes the character of the OSL. Both Ego as the OSL should herpofileren themselves for lack of enemy and do this on two fronts.
First they get the proven recipe of xenophobia from the closet. Both Ego as the OSL see a new enemy in the immigration of people from other cultures. Especially at the’ Islam is seen as a major threat to Dutch culture. This leads to a stream of articles in the Stavast about immigrants, with an ethnocentric (and frequently even racist) overtone. In 1995 This leads to one of the low points of the career of Prosper Ego. Vanaf 1993 Justice has, in response to a criminal complaint filed against the OSL, research into possible criminal statements in Stavast. Ego must be on 16 maart 1995 if justify editor of Stavast for various discriminatory articles in this magazine. He is sentenced to 5000 guilder fine, whose 2000 conditionally. The judge took into account Ego's age and his 'glorious past'. Ego is furious. So furious that he forgets to appeal, making this judgment becomes final. If Stavast response focuses on a Discrimination Hotline, but for natives. When they feel discriminated against, they can contact the OSL, after which there will be reported. Furthermore kicks Ego Stavast lot of himself and writes among other: "In a way I imagine me back in the period, I thought we designed this 5 May 1945 have completed '. His revenge is sweet!
Many otherwise Ego withdraws not of the award. Abuse of immigrants, suggestive articles about the link between immigration and crime(7), angsthazerij about the growing influence of Islamists disfigure monthly columns Stavast. Only the tone is slightly less coarse, which he hopes safeguarded in the near future to keep from further criminal prosecution.(8)
The second front on which the OSL focuses is still the leftist influence in Netherlands. Monthly gain leftist politicians, activists, crackers, environmental fighters and anti-fascists were criticized in articles and speeches by Prosper Ego.
That with this setup again making the wrong friends know evidenced by in 1997. In that year, let the Dutch Student (NLSV(9)) of themselves heard. This association was founded by Michel Hubert, ex-member of the CP'86 and concerned at Outpost. Another prominent member of the NLSV Marcel Bas, contact South Africa for this club. Marcel Bas however, is to this day an active member of the OSL. The former CP'86 member Robin Versteeg is also involved in the OSL and NLSV. So it is not surprising that there are strong rumors that Ego itself young right-wing extremists has put a heartened in a personal interview.
Another remarkable fact is that Ego further since the beginning of the nineties seems to draw from the archives of Peter Siebelt. Siebelt, who earned capital in the security- in kraakwachtenbranche, to put themselves in the eighties on collecting information about left-action- in pressiegroepen. Where he promptly include an infiltrator in, old paper which took away with him all kinds of organizations and managed to provide internal information. Regularly dived information from these documents in articles Ego's hand in Stavast. A booklet of Siebelts handover action groups in the Netherlands is now also on sale at the OSL.
Gray Warriors
Meanwhile, Ego and OSL properly greyed. The meetings of the organization and publications Stavast rays somewhat dull militancy and are mainly limited to authentic right grumbling. During OSL meetings mainly looks back at the heyday of the organization in the early eighties, when there bandied street conflicts were fought with leftist opponents.
This does not mean that the OSL has no influence more, she still manages to tie all kinds of prominent people for meetings and articles. In april 1998 spoke to former Prime Minister Van Agt and a senior official of the Immigration- and Naturalization Service (IND) the annual congress to OSL.
Regarding Ego itself, we can conclude that it is deposited in words against any form of political extremism, both right and left. In his actions, however, a very different person to the front: an extremist communist-hater, entering into partnerships in its fight against anything left or standard fading with anyone who wants to go to war with him. Here he makes an exception for extreme right-wing organizations that have come into the negative publicity in the Netherlands as the NCE, of CP'86 in CD. He dissociates himself in public of these clubs themselves and the OSL to present itself as moderate. But who reads his writings good can come to no other conclusion than that his opposition to the extreme right is only rhetoric and in practice means nothing. His collaboration with various organizations and individuals show the same image. Although Ego emphatically opposes their extremism, it appears in practice to have no problem to cooperate or liaise with various extreme right, fascist and anti-democratic organizations.
In our view, it is wise Ego not to count on his words professed anti-fascism, but his political acts.
Noten
1. The VLN wants to promote national awareness and strongly opposes independence from the Dutch colonies. In addition, she opposes communist and socialist influence on Dutch society and politics.
2. It is unclear to what extent the separation of ego and his really to do with the violent aspirations of some VNL'ers has. Later suggested that the actual conflicts were money and Ego the publicity surrounding the vigilantes and "Carnation’ used as a stick to beat the dog. Indeed: various stakeholders suggest that Ego is the source of all unwanted publicity. The fuss that is being kicked by the Ego vigilantes comes retrospect more credible if the OSL over several decades later transforms itself goons against the peace movement of the early eighties and, despite official distantiëringen, on a lot of understanding of Ego et al. sex count.
3. Louis Rudolph Jules Knight Rappard (1906-1994) was already active before World War II in politics. During the war he was active in the right-wing opposition. In the sixties, seventies and eighties, he has been active in various rightist splinter-parties. He was declared opponent of parliamentary democracy, According to him, a "degenerate form '.
4. At this meeting walk nationalist types like Joop Glimmerveen and former NSB member Jan Krul around. The aforementioned Knight Rappard is involved in this commemoration.
5. Leonard van Heyningen (1919) is a lawyer and has defended in his long career all about far-right individuals and organizations in the Netherlands. Found among his clientele is a war criminal Pieter Menten, Hans Janmaat, of Centrumpartij, anti-Semite Lucas Goeree, of NZAW, de CD, Ton Hoogduin and Stewart Mordaunt. He himself was a prominent member for years and years of all kinds of far-right organizations, including the NZAW, In CD binding Rechts. He also was a regular speaker and articles writer for the OSL.
6. Incidentally Ego is not the only one who looks at the WACL little critical, Dutch politicians Ad Team (VVD) and Wim Mateman (CDA) have also been visitors from WACL Conferences.
7. So Stavast place in every article about crime invariably a picture of a pair of black men who harass a car with baseball bats.
8. Remarkably remains Egos abuse on Islam. Ego namely supported in the eighties diligently Islamic resistance against the Soviet occupation in Afghanistan.
9. The Dutch Student Association was originally called NSV, but got into an argument with the Protestant Navigators Student Association on this short and called himself hereafter NLSV.
