DUTCH THOUGHTS ON EU GYMNICH MEETING

1. (C) We spoke with working-level contacts about Gymnich
while the FM was in Washington. According to contacts, the
Dutch will push EU counterparts at Gymnich for an EU
designation of HAMAS (ref B) and greater international
support for the transition phase in Iraq. The Dutch will
also query EU partners for ideas on how to improve the impact
of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).



2. (C) On the European Security Strategy, Senior Dutch
officials say they will encourage EU partners to make the ESS
as compatible with the US National Security Strategy as
possible. However, in general the Dutch are pleased with the
ESS draft, and do not want to waste time in the next few
months "discussing it over and over again just because we
have the time." There is concern by the Dutch that other
countries will attempt to make the document too specific.
The GoNL prefers to leave it vague, with the plan to add
annexes in the future as needed. MFA contacts also noted
that the EU plans to initiate a number of public seminars on
ESS in the coming months.




3. (U) Following are excepts (informal translation) of the
Foreign Minister's September 1 letter to Parliament in
advance of the Gymnich meeting:

EU Security Strategy (ESS)


--------------------------



The Netherlands welcomes the analysis in the draft of the
main threats and the strategic goals in the ESS, as well as
the importance it attaches to the transatlantic relationship.
In order to be able to protect itself adequately against
threats, the EU should focus in the first place on the
security situation in, and relations with, neighboring
countries. In this context, one should think in particular
of a strengthened dialogue and cooperation with the Arab
world and better use of existing EU mechanisms instruments,
for instance through intensification of the Barcelona
process. In addition, the EU should actively strive for a
more effective multilateral system "with teeth" for the
purpose of advancing global peace and security.

The Netherlands attaches great value to the chosen broad,
integrated approach on the security "Concept" in the
document, in which, besides military aspects, development
cooperation, trade, the environment and promotion of good
governance, the rule of law and democracy are considered in
their mutual context. September 11 demonstrated unmistakably
that internal and external security cannot be viewed
separately. This also means that the combat against internal
and external threats are one and the same, which should be
waged by making and optimal and coherent use of the
instruments that the Union has at its disposal.

The proposed ESS could be made operational in annexes that
discuss in detail regional (the union's periphery) and
thematic priorities (international order, non-proliferation,
combat against terrorism, etc.). The development of the
security strategy should be discussed in conjunction with the
development of ESDP. The latter primarily concerns proposals
to improve European military capabilities.

MEPP


--------------------------



The Netherlands sees no other option but to adhere to the
political process laid down in the Roadmap. The Netherlands
will plead to add the political branch of HAMAS to the EU
list of terrorist organizations, whose assets should be
frozen. (Note: see Ref B for complete report. End note.).

Iraq


--------------------------



The Dutch believe there is growing awareness that the CPA has
thus far not been able to bring about improved living
conditions and to win the Iraqi people's confidence ("win the
peace"). The GoNL believes this trend should be reversed by
parallel progress on three tracks, namely "security"
(including reinforced contribution of the international
community to the stabilization force), "winning the people's
hearts and minds" (through better facilities, particularly
water and fuel), and "political reconstruction" (visible
increased transfer of power to the Iraqis through the
Governing Council and restoration of sovereignty in the
second half of 2004 via
"constitution-election-representative government"). The
Dutch feel the UN has an important role to play in promoting
greater involvement of the international community. The GoNL
believes that a new UNSC resolution could advance this and
give a boost to the political process that has been initiated
in Iraq.

Relations with Mediterranean countries


--------------------------



With the Union's imminent enlargement, the GoNL acknowledges
the Mediterranean region will become increasingly important.
The Dutch see possibilities to improve the multifaceted
relations with this region in different areas. First, the
Netherlands supports the planned foundation of a
Euro-Mediterranean foundation for the Dialogue of Cultures.
The Netherlands attaches significant importance to promotion
of dialogue among various cultures in this region. It
advocates a simple structure and financing on a voluntary
basis. It therefore places emphasis on concrete activities
and cooperation, and not on burdening EU institutions.
Secondly, the Netherlands is strongly in favor of giving more
attention to human rights and democratization in relations
with the Mediterranean partners. It supports the idea of
letting financial assistance depend on progress in these
areas. The Netherlands also advocates close regional and
bilateral cooperation with these countries in the area of
asylum and migration. It seeks to conclude detailed
re-admission agreements, as agreed in the association accord
with most of these partner countries. Finally, the
Netherlands believes that instability and extremism in the
region cannot be seen separately from economic circumstances.
In the economic area the Netherlands advocates more generous
access to each other's markers, economic reform and regional
economic integration rather than making available more
sources of financing. Wijnands comments that these ideas
essentially boil down to the GoNL desire for the EU to
increase its relationship with Mediterranean countries by
fully implementing the numerous agreements already in place,
rather than creating new agreements.
SOBEL