NETHERLANDS/SUDAN: DUTCH CONTINUE TO LEAD ON

1. (C) As reported in ref A, the Dutch government is fully seized of th
situation in Sudan/Darfur at all levels, and is actively engaging Europ
colleagues to increase contributions. The Dutch have already pledged o
25 million euros in bilateral assistance toward Sudan/Darfur, as well a
an extra million euros, two observers, three helicopters and
fuel/transport to the AU protection force. The Dutch EU Presidency
continues to press for increased contributions from European partners,
remains interested in engaging further with the U.S. and UN to jointly
pressure the GOS to comply with its commitments.



2. (C) Poloff discussed ref B message with Africa desk officer Beate
Gerlings July 15. Gerlings reaffirmed ongoing intensive Dutch bilatera
and multilateral efforts, including support for the AU protection force
but noted that further bilateral contributions were not possible "for t
moment" considering other pressing needs and the already significant Du
pledge. She expressed interest in the idea of a broader AU protection
force, which was new to her. She noted, however, that since the Dutch
Presidency had begun intensive engagement with EU colleagues on
Sudan/Darfur, the Dutch would defer to an EU collective response and
follow-up (including encouraging African leaders). Gerlings promised t
pass the message to colleagues in Addis Ababa and Khartoum, but could n
predict what decision would be reached.

EU Presidency to GOS: Sanctions a Real Possibility


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3. (C) Gerlings reported that the Dutch had pressed European colleagues
for more efforts toward the humanitarian situation in Sudan at the July
General Affairs and External Relations Committee (GAERC), especially
focusing on "those partners who could do more." Regarding the plan of
action, EU colleagues had agreed to benchmarks substantively similar to
those maintained by the US, and had specifically avoided setting a
particular timeframe in order to minimize separation from US and UN
efforts. The next step, she said, was to begin to consider possibiliti
for sanctions. Gerlings noted the Dutch had delivered a follow-up
demarche yesterday to the GOS wherein they asserted they "will not
hesitate to apply sanctions, however limited their effect might be."
Gerlings commented that sanctions might be difficult to define since so
little business and engagement occurs with the GOS. Gerlings declared
that it was high time to take action on Sudan, and suggested that a sys
of "smart sanctions" allowing for the release of development funding in
response to progress might be one possibility.
SOBEL