DUTCH PLANS FOR UNGA MIDDLE EAST RESOLUTIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 002670

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/21/2013
TAGS: PREL KPAL NL UNGA
SUBJECT: DUTCH PLANS FOR UNGA MIDDLE EAST RESOLUTIONS

REF: A. SECSTATE 296471


B. SECSTATE 296490

Classified By: A/PolCouns ...




11541

2003-10-21

03THEHAGUE2670

Embassy The Hague

CONFIDENTIAL

03SECSTATE296471

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 002670

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/21/2013
TAGS: PREL KPAL NL UNGA
SUBJECT: DUTCH PLANS FOR UNGA MIDDLE EAST RESOLUTIONS

REF: A. SECSTATE 296471


B. SECSTATE 296490

Classified By: A/PolCouns Nathaniel P. Dean Reason 1.5 (b)

(C) The GoNL will either abstain or vote no today (10/21) on
an UNGA resolution seeking an advisory opinion from the
International Court of Justice on whether the Israeli barrier
currently being built must be taken down. The GoNL has yet
to decide how it will vote on the resolution to declare
Israel in violation of international law due to the fence.
Pieter Ramaer, head of the MFA's UN Political and Judicial
Division, reported that the EU wants to avoid a split vote;
however, it may very well occur. EU countries will meet at
9:00 EST on 10/21 to further discuss the resolution. Ramaer
reported the Dutch are currently uncomfortable with some of
the text. (Note: Ramaer only elaborated by stating that the
Dutch are reviewing the wording used in the naming of
terrorist organizations. End note.) Ramaer stated that
nevertheless if the text of the resolution was decent, the
GoNL would be inclined to vote favorably for the resolution.
He said that several EU states are strongly inclined to vote
in favor of the resolution, no matter the text.
SOBEL