PNR: DUTCH SAY THEY ARE UNLIKELY TO WEIGH IN WITH

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 002402

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

EUR/ERA FOR C.ENGLISH, EUR/UBI, EB/TRA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR KJUS NL PTER
SUBJECT: PNR: DUTCH SAY THEY ARE UNLIKELY TO WEIGH IN WITH
COMMISSION

REF: A. STATE 253041


B. THE HAGUE 02297


1. (SBU) The Dutch government says it will not/not seek
to influence decisions on the Passenger Name Record/data
privacy matter at the European Commission, instead relying on
the judgment of Commissioner Bolkestein and trusting in the
competency of the bodies in Brussels that are tasked with
examining the privacy issue. This information comes from
Andre van Wiggen of the MFA's Division of Transport in a
follow-up conversation to post's September 9 demarche (ref
B). Van Wiggen says the issue "has our highest attention."
The MFA says it is difficult to predict what Bolkestein will
do as he is "holding his cards close to his chest."


2. (SBU) Van Wiggen's office leads GONL interagency
consultations on PNR/data privacy matters. There is at this
time no consensus among Ministries on the subject. In the
meantime, the Ministries of Justice and Transport are
treading lightly and not issuing any new guidance to the
airlines. National carrier KLM is continuing to cooperate in
meeting USG passenger data requests.
SOBEL