Cablegate: Netherlands/Eu: Views On December 10-11 Gaerc

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RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTC #2044/01 3411533
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 071533Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0796
INFO RUEHPS/USOFFICE PRISTINA 0633
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 2197
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0143
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS 0606

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 002044

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

EUR/ERA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EU KV IR
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/EU: VIEWS ON DECEMBER 10-11 GAERC

REF: A. A. SECSTATE 164327
B. B. THE HAGUE 2001
C. C. BRUSSELS 3465

1. (SBU) SUMMARY: POLOFF and ECONOFF shared reftel A points
to key contacts at the Dutch MFA, including: EU
Correspondent Desiree Kopmels, Deputy EU Correspondent Rochus
Pronk, and Wendela Haringhuizen, Senior Policy Officer,
Terrorism and New Threats Unit. Iran sanctions points were
also shared with Anne-Chris Visser, Senior Advisor, Integrity
Division, Ministry of Finance. In a December 6 briefing for
Hague diplomats, Pronk and MFA European Integration
Department staff Bert van der Lingen reviewed the Dutch
position on EU enlargement, Economic Partnership Agreements,
Kosovo and the Balkans, Iran, the Middle East Peace Process,
Burma, Sudan/Chad, and the EU-Africa Summit (para 2-9).
Dutch positions generally match U.S. interests, but their
position on Kosovo will require further bilateral engagement
(para 3 & 10, reftel C). END SUMMARY.

ENLARGEMENT, ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS
--------------------------------------------

2. (SBU) The Dutch are satisfied with the reports on
enlargement but want to ensure that the EU is strict about
all candidates meeting the criteria set for them. If the EU
cannot conclude Economic Partnership Agreements with Africa,
Caribbean, and the Pacific (ACP) countries by January 1,
2008, the Dutch will support temporary arrangements. The
Dutch priority is to ensure that ACP countries do not have a
worse deal under any new agreement (reftel B).

KOSOVO AND THE BALKANS
----------------------

3. (SBU) The Dutch appreciate the Troika's work and are
disappointed that it did not succeed. The Dutch will urge
the parties in Kosovo and Serbia to avoid violence. However,
given the Troika's report to the UNSYG will be December 10,
it's too early to speak about a unilateral declaration of
independence. The Dutch want to take the process "step by
step, day by day." They want to prepare for a larger
civilian role in Kosovo. The Dutch do not want to see a
unilateral declaration of independence but support a
coordinated declaration with EU unanimity. However, UNSC
resolution 1244 does not provide a sound legal basis for an
international presence in an independent Kosovo.

4. (SBU) On Serbia, FM Verhagen will not sign the
Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) until fugitive
Ratko Mladic has been brought to the Hague.

5. (SBU) On Bosnia, the Dutch have questions about the SAA
decision. The Dutch will look closely at the police
agreement and the three other conditions for Bosnia to
determine whether they will sign the SAA.

IRAN
----

6. (SBU) The Dutch are pleased with the National Intelligence
Estimate, and FM Verhagen has stated there will be no change
to Dutch policy. There are "too many elements" to Iran's
nuclear program for it to be civil in nature. The Dutch
support a diplomatic resolution, presume that a third UNSC
resolution will be necessary, and support looking at EU
sanctions if action at the UNSC is not possible.

MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS
-------------------------

4. (SBU) The Dutch are "very happy with Annapolis" and also
with the "active involvement of the U.S." It's a long road
ahead, and there are obstacles. The EU action plan from
October is important. EU aid to the Palestinians will focus
on EU capabilities, such as capacity building, water
resources, education, and reconstruction. Israel deserves
support, and the Dutch will put forward proposals for
cooperation. The Dutch welcome the appointment of Ambassador
Robert Serry as UN Middle East Envoy.

BURMA
-----

7. (SBU) The Dutch fully support UNSYG Special Envoy Gambari.
It's important to keep Burma on the agenda as the
international focus is already shifting away from Burma. The
Dutch are not optimistic about the situation on the ground
based on recent events. In January, the European Council
should look at additional sanctions if the current situation
continues.

SUDAN, CHAD
-----------

8. (SBU) The Dutch support the UK proposal to put Sudan on
the agenda. The international community should maintain
pressure on the GoS given the continuing problems in Darfur,
CPA implementation, and in the UNAMID deployment. The Dutch
are considering a contribution in Chad.

EU-AFRICA SUMMIT
----------------

9. (SBU) The Dutch are working "until the last moment" to
ensure President Mugabe gets a strong message on human
rights. His participation in the summit is unfortunate. The
EU presidency has guaranteed the Dutch an opportunity to
speak about the situation in Zimbabwe, but the Dutch are
uncertain about the logistics. Chancellor Merkel will give
the formal address on Mugabe and human rights. The
Portuguese presidency or High Representative Solana may also
say something.

10. (SBU) COMMENT: On Kosovo, Legal Advisor John Bellinger is
expected to sound out the Dutch during a meeting with MFA
Deputy DG Wim Geerts on December 10. The Dutch reaction will
guide next steps for the USG (ref C). END COMMENT.
Arnall

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