C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 002801

SIPDIS

SA/AR, EUR/UBI FOR S.HOLLIDAY, USEU FOR USAID P.LERNER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2008
TAGS: AF EAID NL PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: AFGHAN AID: DUTCH 2003 PLEDGES ON TRACK, SOME
MINOR NEW FUNDS IN THE PIPELINE

REF: A. STATE 305542


B. THE HAGUE 02399

Classified By: ECONOMIC COUNSELOR RICHARD HUFF FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND
(D)


1. (C) EconOff and EconIntern delivered ref A demarche to
Marit van Zomeren, Afghan Desk Officer at the MFA's Southern
Asia Division. While Van Zomeren was unable to make any
commitments, she agreed to raise the suggestion of a Dutch
announcement of accelerated pledges with the MFA's Special
Representative for Afghanistan Ronald Mollinger. Embassy
will follow up with the Southern Asia Division week of Nov.

10.


2. (SBU) Update on Dutch 2003 Pledges

-- 2003 ARTF money: the GONL will distribute EUR 17.5
million to the ARTF in the next two weeks; the funds have
been authorized by Finance and are awaiting final
dispersement. This sum is the last segment of Dutch 2003
contributions to the ARTF.
-- 2003 EUR 5 million for UNHCR: to be distributed "as soon
as possible".
-- 2003 EUR 5 million for elections: also scheduled to be
distributed soon, but no date available.
-- NEW PLEDGE: USD 938,000 for the constitutional Loya
Jirga, earmarked for election of district reps, and public
information campaign.
-- NEW PLEDGE: EUR 100,000 to the political rsource center
(managed by National Democratic Institute).
-- The GONL remains committed to the 2004-2006 pledges which
it announced at Dubai in September (ref B).


3. (C) Other News and an Info Request

-- German Special Rep for Afghanistan Schmunck and EU Special
Rep for Afghanistan Vendrell will be in the Hague on November
10 for consultations with the GONL.
-- On the question of an Afghan-led pledging conference for
late winter, the Netherlands is unenthusiastic and believes
the EU will share their view. The Dutch feel there is little
utility in holding a pledging conference before the Afghan
budget is available, which could be March 2004. In addition,
the Dutch caution that EU member states will not have money
approved or available by the proposed date.
-- Ms. Van Zomeren and Special Rep Mollinger traveled to
Afghanistan in October, visiting Kabul and the PRT at Konduz
(Note: the Germans have asked the Dutch to participate in
the German-led Konduz PRT).
-- Development Minister Van Ardenne recently added
Afghanistan to the MFA's list of "partner countries", i.e.,
countries with which the Ministry has an official development
relationship.
-- The MFA requests USG position on Bonn II conference --
timing, process, etc. Post would appreciate any recent
talking points on Bonn II.
SOBEL