Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03THEHAGUE2313
2003-09-15 15:28:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:  

DUTCH REACTION TO NONPAPER ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA

Tags:  PHUM CH NL 
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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 002313 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/2013
TAGS: PHUM CH NL
SUBJECT: DUTCH REACTION TO NONPAPER ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA

REF: A. SECSTATE 256542

Classified By: Political Counselor Mary E. Daly for Reasons 1.5 (b and
d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 002313

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/2013
TAGS: PHUM CH NL
SUBJECT: DUTCH REACTION TO NONPAPER ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA

REF: A. SECSTATE 256542

Classified By: Political Counselor Mary E. Daly for Reasons 1.5 (b and
d)


1. (C) Summary: PolOff delivered nonpaper text on human
rights in China (Ref A) to Dutch MFA Deputy Head of East Asia
Department Gerrie Willems, and Senior Policy Advisor on Human
Rights in Asia Sandra Pellegrom on September 12. The Dutch
are pleased the U.S. is initiating early discussions on the
issue, and "completely concur with the U.S. assessment."
Pellegrom said serious discussions on a resolution may begin
as late as January or February 2004 in the EU, and a clear
U.S. position will have a significant influence on the
contentious EU decision making process. The Dutch
recommended the U.S. approach both EU and non-EU members for
support, and suggested the U.S. push for improvements in
specific areas of human rights, such as the use of torture, a
visit by the Special Rapporteur, arbitrary detentions, and
release of more political prisoners. Pellegrom said the
annual review of the EU China-Human Rights Dialogue will be a
good indicator of the EU position, and said EU was asking
members' views on the U.S. memorandum on human rights in
China. End Summary.


2. (C) PolOff delivered nonpaper text on human rights in
China (Ref A) to Dutch MFA Deputy Head of East Asia
Department Gerrie Willems, and Senior Policy Advisor on Human
Rights in Asia Sandra Pellegrom on September 12. The Dutch
are pleased the U.S. is initiating early discussions on the
issue, and "completely concur with the U.S. assessment" of
the deteriorating human rights situation in China. Pellegrom
made it clear that no decision would be made by the EU until
much later, and serious discussions would begin as late as
January or February 2004. Although the Dutch tend to favor a
harder line on China human rights than others in the EU, they
will follow the EU consensus. Pellegrom noted that China is
a contentious country in terms of EU decision making and a
clear U.S. position will have a significant influence on the
EU process. Over the last year, the Dutch have steadily
applied pressure in the EU, but it has "proved virtually
impossible to get the EU to take initiative." Pellegrom and
Willems believe that if the U.S. seriously tables a
resolution, it will help to bring the EU closer to consensus.



3. (C) The Dutch recommend that the U.S. approach both EU and
non-EU members for support, beginning with the bigger EU
member states. Pellegrom said the Dutch MFA thinks every
Minister should raise the human rights issue during
interactions with Beijing, and noted FM de Hoop Scheffer did
so during his August 24-26 visit to China. Prior to FM de
Hoop Scheffer's visit, the Dutch Embassy presented the PRC
with an EU list of human rights cases, to which the Chinese
said they would respond in writing. Willems, who just
returned from a three-year posting in Beijing, opined China's
accession to the WTO, its permanent status on the UNSC, and
the broadening of its international role, have led China to
take its international responsibility seriously. She noted
that if you compared China's human rights progress in five
year increments, then a pattern of positive change would
emerge. Willems said China is "truly a country in
transition," and warned against pushing Beijing so hard that
"a door could be closed." Both Willems and Pellegrom agree
that a dialogue is important, but feel the Chinese must live
up to their commitments.


4. (C) The Dutch recommended the U.S. approach both EU and
non-EU members for support, and suggested the U.S. push for
improvements in specific areas of human rights, such as the
use of torture, a visit by the Special Rapporteur, arbitrary
detentions, and release of more political prisoners.
Pellegrom believes that if the U.S. concentrates on "doable
things," there may be a chance of getting concrete change
more quickly. She noted that the release of political
prisoners "doesn't damage the principles of government" in
Beijing. None of the EU members want to give an early
indication of their position, but Pellegrom said the annual
review of the EU China-Human Rights Dialogue should be
completed by the end of this year, and it will be a good
indicator of the EU position. She also noted the EU has
sought members' reaction to the U.S. memorandum on human
rights in China, and indicated the Presidency reserved the
right to respond to the U.S. until after the issue had been
discussed with its EU partners in the next COHOM on October
10, 2003.
SOBEL