Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
00THEHAGUE1876
2000-06-23 07:03:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:  

CLIMATE CHANGE: ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY FUNDS

Tags:  SENV PREL ENRG ECON NL 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS THE HAGUE 001876 

SIPDIS


STATE FOR G, OES, OES/EGC, EUR/UBI, EUR/ERA
EPA/OIA FOR PAULO ALMEIDA


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV PREL ENRG ECON NL
SUBJECT: CLIMATE CHANGE: ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY FUNDS
PROJECTS ABROAD


REF: THE HAGUE 1144


UNCLAS THE HAGUE 001876

SIPDIS


STATE FOR G, OES, OES/EGC, EUR/UBI, EUR/ERA
EPA/OIA FOR PAULO ALMEIDA


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV PREL ENRG ECON NL
SUBJECT: CLIMATE CHANGE: ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY FUNDS
PROJECTS ABROAD


REF: THE HAGUE 1144



1. DUTCH ENVIRONMENT MINISTER PRONK TOLD THE DUTCH
PARLIAMENT ON JUNE 20 THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED
THAT HIS MINISTRY, RATHER THAN THE DEVELOPMENT
COOPERATION MINISTRY, SHOULD FINANCE CLIMATE CHANGE
PROJECTS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. ACCORDING TO PRONK,
THIS REQUIRES A CHANGE IN THE GOVERNMENT COALITION
ACCORD OF 1998.



2. THE 1998 COALITION ACCORD STIPULATED THAT THE
NETHERLANDS MUST REALIZE HALF OF ITS GHG REDUCTIONS
THROUGH USE OF FLEXIBLE INSTRUMENTS ABROAD. FOR CLEAN
DEVELOPMENT MECHANISM (CDM) PROJECTS, THE GOVERNMENT
HAD SET ASIDE SOME 250 MILLION DOLLARS FOR 2001 AND
2002, WHICH HAD TO COME FROM THE DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
BUDGET.



3. PRONK, WHO AT THE TIME OF THE COALITION AGREEMENT
WAS MINISTER FOR DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION, SHARPLY
OPPOSED USING AID FUNDS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS. SO
DID ALL EU MEMBER-STATES.



4. IT NOW SEEMS THAT, AFTER TWO YEARS, THE GOVERNMENT
HAS GIVEN IN TO NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CRITICISM.
DUTCH FINANCE MINISTER ZALM WILL GIVE PRONK AN EXTRA
250 MILLION DOLLARS, TO BE FINANCED FROM CURRENT DUTCH
BUDGET SURPLUSES.



5. DUTCH NEWSPAPERS COMMENT THAT THE MEASURE WAS TAKEN
TO ENHANCE PRONK'S CREDIBILITY AS CHAIRMAN OF COP-6.
PRONK TOLD PARLIAMENT THAT HE WANTS TO KEEP "ALL CARDS
ON THE TABLE AND ALL BALLS IN THE AIR" AT THE
CONFERENCE. HE SAID THAT HE WANTS AS MANY COUNTRIES AS
POSSIBLE TO AGREE ON CONCRETE MEASURES TO PROTECT THE
CLIMATE, AND, ALSO, HE SEEKS US SUPPORT FOR STRONG
MEASURES TO LIMIT GHG EMISSIONS.
SCHNEIDER