DUTCH CABINET APPROVES IRAQ STABILIZATION FORCE

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 001443

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS IZ NL
SUBJECT: DUTCH CABINET APPROVES IRAQ STABILIZATION FORCE
DEPLOYMENT



1. (SBU) ON JUNE 6 THE DUTCH CABINET APPROVED THE
DEPLOYMENT OF DUTCH MARINES AND ASSOCIATED UNITS TO SERVE AS
PART OF THE BRITISH DIVISION IN THE STABILIZATION FORCE IN
IRAQ. THE CABINET WILL ADVISE THE DUTCH PARLIAMENT IN
WRITING OF ITS DECISION AND PARLIAMENT WILL DEBATE THE MATTER
IN 8-9 DAYS. PARLIAMENTARY CONCURRENCE IS EXPECTED (ALL
MAJOR DUTCH POLITICAL PARTIES SUPPORT THE DEPLOYMENT). THE
DUTCH WILL SEND UP TO 1100 PERSONNEL INCLUDING A "BATTALION
PLUS" OF ROYAL DUTCH MARINES, THREE TO FOUR CHINOOK
HELICOPTERS, ENGINEERING AND MEDICAL UNITS AS WELL AS
MILITARY POLICE TO AL MUTHANNA PROVINCE. THESE UNITS ARE
EXPECTED TO BE IN COUNTRY BY MID-JULY, AND COMMENCING
OPERATIONS AT THE BEGINNING OF AUGUST. MFA OPERATIONS OFFICE
DEPDIR JOOST FLAMAND (PROTECT) INFORMED ACTING POLCOUNS THAT
THE DUTCH ARE STILL DISCUSSING WITH THE UK THEIR REQUEST FOR
ONE OR TWO BRITISH LIAISON OFFICERS TO BE DEPLOYED AT THE
DUTCH HEADQUARTERS (EXPECTED TO BE LOCATED IN AL-SAMAWAH) TO
ADDRESS CERTAIN "CIVIL" TASKS. (NOTE: THE DUTCH ARE
CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR TROOPS BEING IDENTIFIED AS PART OF THE
OCCUPYING POWER AS WELL AS HAVING THEIR BATTALION COMMANDER
BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR CIVIL ADMINISTRATION DECISIONS.) THE
DUTCH CABINET ALSO APPROVED ON JUNE 6 THE SECONDMENT OF FOUR
DUTCH OFFICERS TO SERVE IN THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE POLISH
DIVISION IN IRAQ.


2. (SBU) COMMENT: THE PROMPT DECISION OF THE NEW CABINET
(INAUGURATED ON MAY 27) REFLECTS ITS DETERMINATION TO HAVE
DUTCH FORCES CONTINUE TO PLAYING A ROLE IN GLOBAL SECURITY
OPERATIONS FOLLOWING ITS COMMITMENTS TO OPERATION ENDURING
FREEDOM AND THE INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE FORCE IN
AFGHANISTAN. END COMMENT.
SOBEL