IRAQ: DUTCH SUPPORT TRANSITION - ENCOURAGING

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 002142

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2013
TAGS: PREL IZ NL
SUBJECT: IRAQ: DUTCH SUPPORT TRANSITION - ENCOURAGING
OTHERS TO DO SO

REF: A. SECSTATE 238110


B. WITMER-HOLLIDAY EMAIL 8/22

C. THE HAGUE 2063

D. THE HAGUE 01893

Classified By: PolCouns Mary E. Daly Reaons 1.5 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: The GoNL continues to support the
transition phase in Iraq politically, militarily and
financially. The Dutch are also working behind the scenes
within the EU to encourage other member states to more
actively contribute to this effort. Nevertheless, the Dutch
do not want to be viewed as part of the Coalition Provisional
Authority (CPA) in order to maintain domestic support for
Dutch contributions. In response to recent attacks in
Baghdad, the Dutch Embassy has reduced staffing. End
Summary.

Summary of Dutch Contributions
--------------


2. (C) PolOff and EconOff conveyed reftel to Adri van
Loopik, head of the MFA's Gulf States division. The GoNL is
supporting the transition in Iraq in numerous ways. In
addition to the approximately 1,100 troops dispatched in the
southern Al Muthanna region of Iraq, the GoNL has given
approximately EURO 21 million for humanitarian assistance
(ref D). The Ministry of Economic Affairs has allocated EUR
3 million in funding (reconstruction aid) to promote Dutch
business in Iraq. The MFA recently announced it would give
EUR 300,000 to aid in the de-mining of Iraq. and is looking
to support the mass graves project (ref C) with personnel and
funding. The Dutch will not allocate any bilateral funding
to Iraq at the October donor's meeting, preferring to support
any additional traditional aid/reconstruction assistance via
the European Union.


Political Support for Transition Phase
--------------


3. (C) Van Loopik noted that the Dutch government supports
the establishment of the Governing Council (GC),and the
Dutch Embassy in Baghdad meets regularly with members of the
GC. (Note: The Dutch Embassy had contact with numerous of
the GC prior to its establishment. End Note.) Behind the
scenes, the Dutch are actively encouraging other EU members
to support the transition phase. However, van Loopik noted
that support would be more easily obtained following the
passage of an additional UNSC resolution. A new resolution
could give countries, EU and otherwise, the political cover
needed to more actively support the transition phase.


4. (C) Domestically, it is important to the GoNL to be
viewed as supporting the stabilization force and the
humanitarian/reconstruction effort, but not/not to be part of
the "occupying power"/CPA itself. Therefore, the GoNL has
decided not/not to provide any civil servants, nor pay for
the participation of any private citizens, to work within the
CPA. However, van Loopik commented that the GoNL does not
oppose the participation of private Dutch citizens in the CPA
if funded from non-GoNL sources.


Drawdown of Dutch Embassy in Baghdad
--------------


5. (C) Following the attacks on both the Jordanian Embassy
and the UNHQ, the GoNL reduced staffing at its Embassy in
Baghdad. Three staff remain: the Charge, Administrative
Counselor, and Defense Attache. Two staff members (including
the Queen's nephew, an MFA diplomat) were recalled. Two
others, a deputy defense attache and half-time consular
officer, were prevented from assuming their posts. An MFA
security team will likely return the week of August 25 to
reassess security around the chancery/residence. (Note: The
residence, where all staff are currently residing, is
directly above the Embassy.)
SOBEL