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