Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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03THEHAGUE3002 | 2003-12-03 13:45:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy The Hague |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. |
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 003002 |
1. (C) Summary: Dutch Defense Minister Kamp informed parliament on December 2 the GONL is investigating deploying four Apache attack helicopters to Afghanistan in support of ISAF. Kamp's decision, which came following a request from Lord Robertson during the December 1 NATO Defense Ministers' meeting, caught Dutch MOD and MFA staffers by surprise. The GONL has been reviewing various options for on the ground involvement in Afghanistan for several months, but not helicopters. The Cabinet is expected to take up the matter on December 12. A positive decision by the Cabinet will then go to parliament for debate, which is likely to take place before the Christmas recess. Previous opposition calls for expanding ISAF's presence as well as the fact that this a NATO (and UNSCR endorsed) mission should help in securing parliamentary support for the deployment. End Summary. 2. (U) Dutch Defense Minister Henk Kamp notified the Dutch parliament on December 2 that the GONL will investigate the possibility of deploying four Dutch Air Force Apache AH-64 attack helicopters to Afghanistan in support of NATO ISAF operations. Kamp took this step in response to a request from Lord Robertson at the December 1 NATO Defense Ministers' meeting. The Dutch were also asked to make available transport helicopters; however, Kamp declined as most of the Dutch Air Force's Chinook transport helicopters are being used to support the Dutch deployment to Iraq as part of the UK's Multi-National Division Southeast. 3. (C) In subsequent discussions, GONL officials claimed to PolMilOff that Robertson's request and Kamp's accession came as a surprise. The GONL has been contemplating various options for further involvement on the ground in Afghanistan for some time now (reftels). These options include: deployment of Dutch Army special forces commandos in support of OEF, participation in the German-led PRT at Konduz or assisting in managing Kabul Airport. Among the reasons for the lack of a decision to date include: concerns about possible Guantanamo-implications should Dutch SOF detain Al Qaeda/Taliban members as well as the "murky relationship between OEF, ISAF and the PRTs." An MFA Security Policy Bureau contact advised PolMilOff these potential contributions are still "on the table" even after Kamp's offer of Apaches. An MOD policy advisor said it was important to note Kamp feels strongly that when NATO specifically directs a country to provide an asset, it should try and accommodate the request, and that voluntary force generation is not working. According to the same MOD staffer, Kamp said he thought SACEUR (whom he met with on a November 24 visit to The Hague) should be able to direct specific requests from countries. 4. (C) Kamp's letter to parliament represents the first formal step in GONL action on the NATO request. MFA source advises that a Cabinet decision is expected on December 12. In the interim, MOD source says that GONL officials need to obtain clarity on the planned role of the Apaches. A positive cabinet decision will then be notified to parliament which will debate the issue, presumably before the Christmas recess. (Note: in the Dutch system, a formal parliamentary vote of approval is not necessary; however, MPs could table a resolution of disapproval, but would only do so if they thought it likely to pass.) 5. (C) Comment: Given the repeated concerns raised among the allies about ISAF shortfalls, Dutch officials may be protesting too much when they claim surprise at Robertson's request. While approval is not guaranteed at this point, Kamp is a skilled operator who would be unlikely to make this commitment if he did not think he could deliver (MOD source advises he took the decision after consulting with the PM's office, MFA and the Dutch Air Force). While the main opposition Labor Party's foreign affairs spokesman expressed some initial concerns with the proposed deployment, others in his party after visiting Afghanistan have previously called for expanding the ISAF mandate. In addition, MFA sources concede that the fact this is a NATO mission covered by a specific UN Security Council Resolution should help in achieving parliamentary support. End Comment. SOBEL |