Published Letter from the AIVD
Dear Sandra,Herewith, as promised, a chronological response to your article published yesterday, 23 September 2009, with a request for a rectification today.
1. The book was not commissioned by the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) but, as later stated in your article, was an idea conceived by Ms. Magid.
2. The AIVD did not approach Ms. Magid directly. A commission was issued via the Dutch Government Buildings Agency (Rijksgebouwendienst) for the creation of an artwork for our new building.
3. Regarding the collection of the book: Ms. Magid wrote to the AIVD stating that the AIVD could pick up the manuscript, which we intend to do. Therefore there is no question of its being confiscated. I believe that the title of the exhibition is also based on this: 'authority to remove'.
4. In contrast to the picture painted by Ms. Magid, she was never employed by the AIVD as consultant. Our relationship with her was solely within the context of her art commission. She never performed activities for the AIVD, was never authorised to consult files and was never allowed free access to the building unaccompanied.
5. The AIVD never said that Ms. Magid was not allowed to publish a book. We did indicate that she was required to remain within the framework of the law. In other words, not to publish information which could jeopardise national security, and to safeguard the privacy of our personnel.
6. We never threatened to seize her artworks and computer; we did inform her that she was responsible for ensuring that sensitive information does not come into the possession of third parties. To which effect we even offered her assistance.
7. The AIVD has not threatened to take court proceedings; we clearly communicated to Ms. Magid the statutory stipulations regarding confidentiality/non-disclosure.
8. Ms. Magid's suggestion that the AIVD suddenly changed the rules is not accurate. We merely informed her, on numerous occasions, of her obligation of confidentiality.
9. Regarding 'editing the manuscript to death': we deleted only those sections containing sensitive information and removed passages breaching the privacy of our personnel.
Thank you for your cooperation!
Regards, Miranda Havinga, AIVD spokesperson
Translated by Lisa Holden
