Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03THEHAGUE1732
2003-07-07 14:59:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:  

DUTCH ON BELARUS DEMARCHE

Tags:  PREL BO NL EUN 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 001732

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/06/2013
TAGS: PREL BO NL EUN
SUBJECT: DUTCH ON BELARUS DEMARCHE

REF: STATE 194808

Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY POLITICAL COUNSELOR MARY DALY FOR REASONS
1.5 (B AND D).

(C) POLOFF MADE REFTEL POINTS TO DUTCH MFA DESK OFFICER FOR
UKRAINE AND BELARUS DANIEL VINKELES MELCHERS ON JULY 7.
VINKELES MELCHERS ADVISED THAT THE DUTCH GOVERNMENT SHARES
U.S. CONCERNS AND IS PARTICULARLY FOCUSED ON A POSSIBLE
REFERENDUM INTENDED TO EXTEND LUKASHENKO'S TERM IN OFFICE.
THE GONL THINKS THAT THE EU SHOULD NOT ACCEPT SUCH A STEP.
THE GONL BELIEVES THE TIME IS RIGHT TO TAKE A STRONG STAND ON
BELARUS. VINKELES MELCHERS NOTED THAT BELARUS IS ON THE
AGENDA OF THE PSC MEETING IN BRUSSELS ON JULY 8 AND THAT VISA
AND ECONOMIC SANCTIONS ARE AMONG THE MEASURES TO BE DISCUSSED
IN THE POLICY PAPER FOR THAT MEETING. THAT SAID, HE NOTED
THAT AS CURRENT OSCE CHAIRMAN-IN-OFFICE THE NETHERLANDS MAY
BE SOMEWHAT RESTRAINED IN VOICING ITS IDEAS TOO STRONGLY IN
EU COUNCILS.
BAILY