Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03THEHAGUE2911
2003-11-19 15:43:00
SECRET
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:  

DEMARCHE TO DUTCH ON REQUEST FOR CS/CSS FOR OIF

Tags:  PREL MOPS IZ AF NL 
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S E C R E T THE HAGUE 002911 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR PM/RSAT, EUR/UBI, EUR/RPM, JOINT STAFF FOR
J-3/JODCENT, J-5 IPMC COALITION CELL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/18/2013
TAGS: PREL MOPS IZ AF NL
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO DUTCH ON REQUEST FOR CS/CSS FOR OIF
AND OEF

REF: A. STATE 318096


B. STATE 321138

C. THE HAGUE 2726 (NOTAL)

Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY POLITICAL COUNSELOR MARY DALY FOR REASONS
1.5 (B AND D)

S E C R E T THE HAGUE 002911

SIPDIS

STATE FOR PM/RSAT, EUR/UBI, EUR/RPM, JOINT STAFF FOR
J-3/JODCENT, J-5 IPMC COALITION CELL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/18/2013
TAGS: PREL MOPS IZ AF NL
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO DUTCH ON REQUEST FOR CS/CSS FOR OIF
AND OEF

REF: A. STATE 318096


B. STATE 321138

C. THE HAGUE 2726 (NOTAL)

Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY POLITICAL COUNSELOR MARY DALY FOR REASONS
1.5 (B AND D)


1. (S) PolMilOff delivered ref A request for Combat
Support/Combat Service Support (CS/CSS) assets to Dutch MFA
Security Policy Bureau Operations Chief Rob Gabrielse on
November 17. Gabrielse (protect throughout) said the GONL
was currently focused on the renewal of the deployment of
Dutch forces in AlMuthanna province in Iraq (due to expire
December 31) for another six months. The Cabinet is expected
to approve an extension on November 21. While he thought the
extension would go through, Gabrielse said he expected a
robust debate in Parliament in the wake of the attack on
Italian forces in Nasiriyah. Gabrielse felt a decision to
renew the deployment was of the highest political importance
and would send a strong signal of allied commitment to Iraq
in the wake of the attack on the Italians.


2. (S) Concerning ref A additional requests for Iraq,
Gabrielse said his initial reaction was that the Dutch want
to know more about U.S. plans to turn over power to a
transitional Iraqi government which would add a new dimension
to the Dutch decision-making process (Note: post delivered
ref B points to GONL on November 19). He noted that the
CS/CSS assets requested would be deployed outside the current
area of Dutch operations in AlMuthanna. This will raise
questions under Article 100 of the Dutch constitution (Note:
this refers to the elaborate Dutch approval process for
military deployments, in which the government must fully
explain the lines of command, the risks involved, etc.)
Lastly, Gabrielse said he was not certain MOD had the assets
available. That said, he advised PolMilOff he would
immediately inject these points into the GONL's
deliberations.


3. (S) On Afghanistan, Gabrielse said the GONL is still
contemplating further involvement on the ground to include
acceding to a German request for participation in the Konduz
PRT, responding to NATO requests to address such ISAF
shortfalls as running Kabul Airport, or deploying a small
contingent of special operations forces (SOF) in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom. So far, the political leadership
has been inclined to favor participating in the German-led
PRT at Konduz. On SOF, Gabrielse noted ref A suggestion of a
dialogue on this issue between the U.S. and the Dutch
representative at CENTCOM in Tampa. Gabrielse underlined
that such a discussion could only be exploratory in nature,
and that the Dutch representative would not be in a position
to make any commitments. That said, he thought it would be
helpful if the U.S. could provide more information about how
Dutch SOF assets might be employed. As reported ref C, the
GONL was expected to address follow-on Dutch involvement on
the ground in Afghanistan in November.


4. (S) Comment: Gabrielse's (a DAS-level official) comments
represent an initial reaction. MFA is seized with getting
the current deployment of Dutch troops to AlMuthanna extended
this week. While technically a Cabinet approval will amount
to a final decision, Parliament must still debate the matter
and they will likely ask tough questions of FM de Hoop
Scheffer and Defense Minister Kamp. We expect the deployment
to be renewed. PM Balkenende, as well as Kamp and de Hoop
Scheffer, have gone on record as saying the Dutch "can't
simply walk away." Mission will continue to press ref A
request with Dutch counterparts. End Comment.
SOBEL