GREECE/TERRORISM: DUTCH PM KOK MAY RAISE CONCERNS

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 001801

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/16/2010
TAGS: PTER PREL GR UK NL EUN
SUBJECT: GREECE/TERRORISM: DUTCH PM KOK MAY RAISE CONCERNS
WITH SIMITIS

REF: SECSTATE 113631


Classified by DCM Reed Fendrick, Reasons 1.5 b/d


1.(C) Per reftel request, DCM on June 16 contacted Prime
Minister Kok's Foreign Policy Advisor Wim Geerts to urge that
Kok personally raise his concerns about terrorism in Greece
to PM Simitis. A/Polcouns subsequently learned from Dutch
MFA A/S-equivalent for Europe Ron van Dartel that Geerts had
called him requesting that Kok's talking points for the Feira
Summit include a "non-confrontational" expression of concern
about the recent 17 November assassination of British
Brigadier Saunders. Reviewing reftel points, Van Dartel
added that the Dutch were like-minded with us about the need
for concerted, private approaches to the Greek Government
about the need to improve its counter-terrorism efforts. He
cited his recent discussion with the resident Greek
ambassador, in which he described the Saunders killing as
"first, a tragedy for the family, but second, a disgrace for
Greece." Van Dartel also said that he though the ongoing
consultations in Athens among U.S. and EU missions extremely
important.


2.(C) Comment: Notwithstanding oft-strained Greek-Dutch
relations, Kok and Simitis have a good working relationship
(as do foreign ministers Van Aartsen and Papandreou). At our
request, Kok's advisors have recommended that he raise the
terrorism issue directly with Simitis in Feira. However, as
MFA A/S for Security Schapper cautioned DCM later today, EU
Summits are not usually the venue for confrontational
encounters. While we cannot guarantee Kok will pull Simitis
aside, we believe the Dutch government views the issue with
utmost concern.
SCHNEIDER