THE DUTCH ON EU FOSSIL FUEL GRANTS

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 001650

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE


STATE FOR SNIS, NP/SC, EUR/ERA, EUR/WST


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG NL EUN
SUBJECT: THE DUTCH ON EU FOSSIL FUEL GRANTS


REF: STATE 96084


THIS MESSAGE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PLEASE PROTECT.


(SBU) Dutch MFA Ukraine deskoff Hans Schutte and Energy,
Research and Technology Division Chief Jan Huber (please
protect both) provided the following comments regarding EU
Fossil Fuel Grants:
- The Dutch do not have an anti-nuclear policy (like the
Danes, Austrians, and Irish),but are against the EBRD
project because they prefer a non-nuclear energy alternative
and because of the cost.
- Many Dutch citizens (like the Germans) are uncomfortable
with nuclear energy being so close to their borders.
- It was the Ukrainian government which insisted on making
the linkage between closing Chornobyl and paying for R4/K2;
the GOU said that the Ukrainians would close Chornobyl if
they received the money to complete R4/K2.
- The Dutch would probably consent to providing such grants
to help out the Ukrainians during the winter, but agree that
there should be no link with the K2/R4. The grants must fit
in with a responsble energy policy, however.
- The Dutch agree on the necessity for power sector reform,
which would generate enough money to allow the Ukraine to
purchase its own fuel needs. Some experts believe that the
Ukraine has a vast overcapacity and that the money would be
much better spent on upgrading the electricity sector.
SCHNEIDER