Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04THEHAGUE1515
2004-06-17 16:13:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:  

TERRORIST FINANCE: EVOLVING DUTCH POSITION ON EU

Tags:  ETTC PTER LE XM NL EUN 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 001515 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/ESC/TFS/GLASS, S/CT/NAVRATIL, IO/PHO/PEREZ,
INR/EC/BROOKS, EUR/UBI, EUR/ERA, NEA
TREASURY FOR ZARATE AND OFAC/NEWCOMB
NSC FOR MRUPPERT
JUSTICE FOR OIA/FRIEDMAN
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR LEGATT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/17/2009
TAGS: ETTC PTER LE XM NL EUN
SUBJECT: TERRORIST FINANCE: EVOLVING DUTCH POSITION ON EU
DESIGNATION OF HIZBALLAH

REF: STATE 128139

Classified By: DCM Daniel Russel. Reason 1.5(d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 001515

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/ESC/TFS/GLASS, S/CT/NAVRATIL, IO/PHO/PEREZ,
INR/EC/BROOKS, EUR/UBI, EUR/ERA, NEA
TREASURY FOR ZARATE AND OFAC/NEWCOMB
NSC FOR MRUPPERT
JUSTICE FOR OIA/FRIEDMAN
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR LEGATT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/17/2009
TAGS: ETTC PTER LE XM NL EUN
SUBJECT: TERRORIST FINANCE: EVOLVING DUTCH POSITION ON EU
DESIGNATION OF HIZBALLAH

REF: STATE 128139

Classified By: DCM Daniel Russel. Reason 1.5(d)


1. (C) The Dutch government has moved much closer to
supporting EU designation of Hizballah in its entirety. The
"official" GONL position is that Hizballah is a political
movement with a terrorist branch;the Dutch maintain that the
political movement is represented in parliament in Lebanon,
plays a role in the political process in Lebanon and the
Middle East, and therefore should not be designated in its
entirety. However, the Dutch have consistently supported
designation of the Hizballah "terrorist branch" (Hizballah
External Security Organization). Dutch Foreign Minister Bot
foreshadowed a possible change in the Dutch position on April
20 when he departed from his interagency agreed talking
points and told a parliamentary committee that he "is of the
opinion that (Hizballah) should be on the (EU) list" but
needs more facts to convince the other 24 EU member states
that the political and terrorist branches cannot be
differentiated. Bot has asked the Dutch security service
(AIVD) to quickly come up with more proof of Hizballah's
integrated nature. Significantly, during his April trip to
Damascus, Bot reports that he told the Syrians "in firm
language that Hizballah cannot have a foothold there." Dutch
officials have also told us that the GONL might be able to
"sponsor" the U.S. Barakat designation (reftel) in the EU
clearinghouse process (especially given Barakat's links with
the "terrorist side" of Hizballah).

COMMENT
--------------

2. (SBU) Having led EU efforts to designate the entirety of
Hamas, it will be difficult for the Dutch to argue that
Hizballah should be treated differently. Nevertheless,
having more "facts" at their disposal on the integrated
nature of the Hizballah will make it easier for the Dutch to
change their formal position. The Dutch position is probably
also governed by tactical considerations -- there seems to be
no compelling reason for a change in position at this moment
and coming out fully in favor of Hizballah designation at
this moment make it more difficult for them to craft an EU-25
consensus, especially during the 7/1-12/31 Dutch EU
presidency. Nevertheless, it appears that when the time is
auspicious, the Dutch will change their position to favor
Hizballah designation.
SOBEL