SCENESETTER AND NOTIONAL SCHEDULE FOR VISIT BY DHS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 002660 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DHS SEC. RIDGE FROM AMB. SOBEL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OVIP ASEC NL SUBJECT: SCENESETTER AND NOTIONAL SCHEDULE FOR VISIT BY DHS SECRETARY RIDGE TO THE NETHERLANDS, OCT. 25-27 SIPDIS REF: A. STATE 291919 ¶B. THE HAGUE 2648 ¶1. (U) Message contains sensitive information. Protect accordingly. ¶2. (U) We are pleased, Mr. Secretary, you are able to include the Netherlands in your European travels this time. In your last visit here in November 2002, you laid the groundwork for increased bilateral progress on counterterrorism issues through our Safe Borders Initiative. Those efforts continue to bear fruit. In March, the Netherlands hosted bilateral discussions with us on judicial aspects of CT cooperation. In late June, we reciprocated with meetings in Washington on critical infrastructure protection (CIP) for a large delegation of Dutch officials. In August, Energy Sec. Abraham signed an agreement with the Dutch Government for the installation of monitors at the Port of Rotterdam to detect the shipment of nuclear and radiological materials - the first such agreement in the world. One of the results of that agreement is that DOE technical experts are currently in country providing training to their Dutch counterparts. ¶3. (SBU) Even as the Dutch have proved to be cooperative CT partners, they face obstacles to effective action. Much of Europe finds it difficult to come to terms with the fact that the world - and the terrorism threat - has changed fundamentally. Some of these problems are systemic, such as the Dutch system of consensual political decision-making that often prevents decisive action. In addition, the Dutch system of "stovepiping" hampers coordination of CT efforts. The Dutch, therefore, can learn from the U.S. experience in establishing your Department. ¶4. (SBU) From your dinner with Prime Minister Balkenende in early September in Washington, you are aware of his Government's commitment to support bilateral and multilateral CT efforts. The themes we hope you express during your visit here will re-enforce the discussions you had with the PM: - expressing appreciation for Dutch cooperation - addressing the need to continue to move forward on CT efforts - realizing the terrorist threat is real and present and not directed solely at the U.S. - stressing that coordination and integration of ministries' effort is essential for effective CT programs. ¶5. (SBU) The bilateral program will give you the opportunity to see most of the important players in CT issues here: Finance Minister Zalm (responsible for CSI),Justice Minister Donner (responsible for prosecution of alleged terrorists), Foreign Minister-designate Bot (responsible for setting Dutch bilateral and multilateral CT agenda),Parliamentary leaders (considering MoJ legislation to strengthen the fight against terrorism) and senior Dutch government officials at Interior, Customs, Defense, MFA and the Prime Minister's Office (responsibile for the ministries and agencies that need to improve coordination and integration). The notional schedule is: SATURDAY, OCT. 25 - 0635 Arrival at Valkenburg Air Base - 0700 Arrival at Ambassador's Residence Personal time - 1830 Light dinner with HRH Princess Margriet and Deputy PM/Finance Minster Zalm SUNDAY, OCT 26 - 0845 Briefing by Dutch Intelligence Service (AIVD) - 0915-1015 Coffee with Dr. Bernard Bot, Foreign Minister-designate - 1045 Interview with Elsevier magazine - 1115 Meeting with Europol Director Juergen Storbeck - 1200-1700 Informal CT discussion with visiting US Ambassadors MONDAY, OCT. 27 - 0730 Light breakfast with Parliamentary leaders - 0830 Breakfast with Justice Minister Donner and senior government officials - 0950 Depart for Valkenburg Air Base - 1020 Meet with DHS employees (Customs, Coast Guard, TSA) - 1045 Depart for Madrid ¶6. (U) We look forward to your visit, which will help remind the Dutch to keep the fight against terrorism a top priority. SOBEL