AFGHANISTAN: UPDATE ON DUTCH PLEDGES AND

1. (SBU) Dutch Minister of Finance Gerrit Zalm has
received the letter from Afghan Finance Minister Ghani (ref
A) that concerns an appeal for accelerated pledges, according
to MFA Afghan Desk Officer Marit van Zomeren of the MFA in a
November 17 conversation with Embassy EconOff. Ms. Van
Zomeren did not have details on what the Dutch response will
be but says the Dutch are in the process of answering the
letter. The latest info from the MFA about Dutch pledges is
that they expect to disburse their 2004 pledge of EUR 17.5
million some time in March 2004.

Discussions With the EU


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2. (SBU) In other news, EU Special Rep for Afghanistan
Vendrell was in the Hague the week of November 10. (Note:
German Special Rep Schmunck canceled his planned visit (ref
B). End Note.) Vendrell met with Dutch FM de Hoop Scheffer,
DG for Political Affairs Hugo Siblesz, and Deputy DG for
Development Cooperation Rob de Vos. According to Van
Zomeren, Vendrell asked the Minister for the Netherlands to
set up or contribute to a PRT, but the GONL maintains that it
does not foresee a stand-alone Dutch PRT in the future.
Vendrell and the Dutch also discussed the constitution and
the upcoming elections. Dutch officials found themselves
agreeing with Vendrell on the need for improved coordination
on Afghanistan: a) among EU member states; b) between the
U.S. and the EU; and c) between NATO and the EU. Vendrell
told the Dutch he wants to be present at more U.S.-Brahimi-UK
strategy meetings. Separately, Dutch Special Afghanistan Rep
Ronald Mollinger has expressed his desire for more contact
and coordination with the U.S.
RUSSEL