NETHERLANDS/SUDAN: DUTCH IN DRIVER'S SEAT IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 001721 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2014 TAGS: PREL PHUM NL SU UNSC SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/SUDAN: DUTCH IN DRIVER'S SEAT IN EUROPE REF: A. (A) THE HAGUE 1717 ¶B. (B) STATE 145183 ¶C. (C) BRUSSELS 2897 Classified By: POL COUNSELOR ANDREW SCHOFER FOR REASONS (B) AND (D) Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) The Dutch see themselves as leading Europe to take firmer action on Sudan. The highest levels of the Dutch government, including the Prime Minister, are actively engaged on this issue. Bilaterally, the Dutch have pressed the Sudanese government to implement its commitments and have pledged more than $25 million in direct assistance, as well as an extra million in assistance for the EU Protection Force along with 2 observers and 3 helicopters. The Dutch are currently discussing a plan of action for Sudan with their European colleagues, which would include a timeframe, specific benchmarks, and sanctions. The Dutch also expressed interest in strong international cooperation, including with the U.S. and UN, on common expectations and sanctions if the Sudanese government commitments are not implemented. DUTCH ENGAGED FROM THE TOP -------------- ¶2. (C) As noted ref a, Ambassador Sobel raised the issue of Sudan with Dutch Foreign Minister Bot on July 7. Although Bot expressed some dissatisfaction that the EU was not getting credit for its efforts in Sudan to date, he reiterated that the Netherlands will continue to push for a strengthened European effort to end the humanitarian disaster there. Prime Minister Balkenende reportedly also has a strong personal interest in the subject; a Dutch MFA source told POLCOUNS on July 9 that the MFA was rebuked by Balkenende when it recently left Sudan off the list of issues to be discussed at the PM's regular Friday cabinet meeting. ¶3. (C) On July 7, S/WCI Pierre Prosper briefed Hugo Siblesz, the Dutch MFA's Director General for Political Affairs, on the catastrophic human rights situation in Sudan. Prosper noted that the Netherlands, as current EU president, could play a special role in mobilizing international pressure to convince the Sudanese government to live up to its commitments to Secretary Powell and UNSYG Annan. Siblesz responded that the GONL was deeply concerned about the situation in Sudan and had placed the issue on the agenda for the EU's GAERC ministerial July 12-13. The Netherlands would be supportive of a UNSC resolution, he added, and would work to develop consensus within the EU as well. The EU, he said, could exert influence both through political pressure and through the judicious use of humanitarian development assistance; these efforts should operate in parallel. WILLING TO GET TOUGH... -------------- ¶4. (C) On July 8, Poloff delivered ref b points on Darfur to Arjan Schuthof, head of MFA African Horn section of the Dutch MFA. Schuthof praised U.S. efforts in the region, and explained that the Dutch have both bilateral and multilateral efforts underway in Sudan. In her recent visit to Sudan, Dutch Minister for Development Van Ardenne publically and privately pressed the Sudanese government to comply with commitments. The Dutch, however, have serious doubts about the GOS' intention to implement its promises. Schuthof noted the importance of multilateral pressure to achieve further progress, and said that the Dutch would contribute 2 observers to the EU Protection Force. ¶5. (C) Schuthof placed particular emphasis on the necessity of resuming peace talks immediately, but worried that finding a location acceptable to both sides would be difficult. Asked about the draft UNSC resolution, Schuthof said it "did not go far enough," noting that sanctions should be imposed on both the Jingaweit and the Khartoum government. Schuthof suggested that the circulation of additional information by the U.S. to help the international community classify the conflict as "ethnic cleansing" or "genocide" could also help put the conflict into an appropriate international context. ...BUT EU STILL LAGGING BEHIND -------------- ¶6. (C) According to Schuthof, the EU "has lagged behind" regarding Sudan despite Dutch efforts to call for stronger political signals and more active contributions. Schuthof helped author a Dutch plan of action that sets specific benchmarks for the Sudanese Government to meet within a definite timeframe, and calls for specific EU sanctions (i.e. economic sanctions, asset freezing, and travel restrictions) if they are not met. This plan is currently under discussion at the EU Africa Working Group meeting in Brussels. ¶7. (C) Schuthof commented some EU colleagues want to weaken statements and actions, citing as an example "except for the Germans, many EU colleagues want to replace the word 'sanctions' with the word 'measures' which is much weaker." Schuthof again commented that Minister Van Ardenne and others are playing an extremely active role behind the scenes pushing for stronger language. Although the issue would be raised at the July GAERC, Schuthof expected specific EU actions would only be discussed at the September GAERC. Schuthof expressed interest in collaborating with the U.S. and UN on joint expectations of the Sudanese Government and joint consequences to force the Sudanese into compliance. RECENT ASSISTANCE -------------- ¶8. (C) Schuthof turned over a memo detailing Dutch contributions on Darfur to date. Just this week the Netherlands committed another 10 million euros (USD 12.4 million) for Darfur relief, and announced they would pay the cost of three MI-8 helicopters (including maintenance and fuel) to help the Africa Union deliver assistance to Darfur. In total the Netherlands has committed 27.5 million euros (USD 34.07 million) to alleviate the Darfur crisis. ¶9. Schuthof also stated that the Dutch are actively encouraging their EU colleagues to make contributions. He said the EU is circulating an "inventory" to be discussed at the July GAERC which would provide the basis for further collective action. SOBEL