NETHERLANDS/EU/SUDAN: PREPPING FOR GAERC DARFUR

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 001867

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2014
TAGS: PREL SU NL EUN UNSC
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/EU/SUDAN: PREPPING FOR GAERC DARFUR
DISCUSSION

REF: STATE 15931

Classified By: POL Counselor Andrew Schofer, for reasons 1.4 (b/d)


1. (C) Summary: The Dutch expect GAERC conclusions to
maintain political pressure on GOS, endorse coordination with
AU/UN/US, and to increase humanitarian assistance. In a
scheduled July 24 meeting with GOS FM Ismael, FM Bot and Dev
Min Van Ardenne intend to express deep concern about the
situation in Darfur and pressure the GOS to take
responsibility for actions and commitments. End Summary.


2. (C) Poloff delivered ref points to Acting Sudan Desk
Officer Marieke van Ressen and EU Correspondent Joep Wijnands
July 23. MFA reps noted that the Political and Security
Committee (PSC) is already in session today discussing draft
conclusions on Sudan in preparation for Monday's General
Affairs External Relations Committee (GAERC). Director for
Political Affairs Jaap Werner (protect) reported to PolCouns
that the main message will be to keep up the political
pressure, coordinate with AU/UN/US, and to increase
humanitarian assistance. Werner suspected that the
conclusions drafted in today's PSC would need some
"fine-tuning" during the GAERC itself, and noted that the EU
would be following events in New York closely.


3. (C) Werner added that the Dutch (at U.S. request) had
checked on the money transfer to the AU and believed there
would be no problem on either the EU or the AU side. Werner
also indicated that the EU will send experts to the Darfur
Mediation Team and AU monitoring mission. Van Ressen said
the need for more technical assistance would be noted at the
meeting, but said it was too late to confirm that the reftel
request for additional airlift capacity would be discussed.


4. (C) Van Ressen and Werner confirmed that Foreign Minister
Bot and Development Minister Van Ardenne will meet with
Sudanese Foreign Minister Ismael on Saturday, July 24 in The
Hague. Van Ressen expected that Bot would express deep
concern over the continued lack of security for the
population of Darfur and the insufficient progress shown to
date by the GOS, and that he would impress upon Ismael that
it is the responsibility of the GOS to live up to its
commitments.


5. (C) Van Ressen said the GoNL believes the GOS will not
make sufficient efforts and noted the continued GOS denial of
the existence of a humanitarian crisis. She declared that at
this point "the most possible pressure is needed." Van
Ressen and other contacts expressed a desire for continuing
close coordination between the EU and US on the issue.
MINIMIZED CONSIDERED
RUSSEL