GREECE/TERRORISM: DUTCH PM KOK MAY RAISE CONCERNS WITH SIMITIS

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