DUTCH SUPPORT LAUNCH OF IRAQ GOVERNING COUNCIL

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 001816

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/16/2008
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAO IZ UK NL UNSC
SUBJECT: DUTCH SUPPORT LAUNCH OF IRAQ GOVERNING COUNCIL

REF: SECSTATE 202537

Classified By: PolCouns Mary Daly reasons 1.5 (b) and (d)


1. (C) On July 16, PolOff and British PolCouns delivered
reftel to MFA Adri van Loopik, head of the Gulf States
Division. Van Loopik congratulated the US, UK and UN on
bringing together such a diverse and inclusive group to form
the Governing Council. The Dutch are encouraged by the
actions taken to date by the CPA, and are impressed by the
individuals that have been chosen to represent the Iraqi
people on the GC. Van Loopik further engaged PolOff and
British PolCouns in a discussion of the powers the GC will
hold. When questioned if the GoNL would make a public
statement in support of the GC, van Loopik cited timing
difficulties because the FM is on leave. However, he
suggested the possibility of an EU statement, which the Dutch
would fully support. He commented that this issue may arise
at the EU FM's meeting (GAERC) on July 21.


2. (C) Van Loopik also said that, with the departure of
Dutch troops to Iraq in August, the Dutch Parliament will
keep an even closer eye on the political and security
developments in country. Any information demonstrating an
independent constitutional process would be welcomed by the
Dutch Parliament and public.
SOBEL