THE HAGUE, Sept 5 (Reuter) Ten Dutch soldiers taking part in a UN
peacekeeping operation in Angola had sex with minors and attempted to
smuggle diamonds and marijuana, the Dutch defence minister said on
Friday.

The 10 officers and noncommissioned officers, were among the 230 Dutch
troops which took part in UNAVEM, the UN peace keeping operation in
Angola between 1991 and June 1997.

Defence Minister Joris Voorhoeve told reporters he had not been
informed of the offences, which took place between 1991 and 1995, until
earlier this year. Once he had been informed he ordered a formal
investigation, which found the soldiers guilty of misconduct.

The Defence Ministry's report has been handed over to the public
prosecutor to see if the offences violate Dutch laws. A separate
investigation into charges of attempted smuggling has already started,
Voorhoeve said.

He said some of the accused soldiers were still serving in the Dutch
army. Voohoeve said he had recommended they receive official rebukes on
their service records.

``The bad behaviour of 10 persons has tarnished the image of a peace
operation, while the remaining 220 Dutch military acquitted themselves
well,'' he told a news conference.

23:33 090597