DEMARCHE TO DUTCH ON SYRIA-IRAQ BORDER SECURITY

S E C R E T THE HAGUE 001948

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2014
TAGS: PREL PTER NL
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO DUTCH ON SYRIA-IRAQ BORDER SECURITY

REF: STATE 166961

Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Nathaniel Dean for reasons 1.
4 (b/d)

(S) Poloff met August 3 with MFA Syria Deskoff Angelique
Eijpe and Iraq Deskoff Willemijn Kallenberg to discuss reftel
message. Both MFA reps were aware of the information
contained in the message, which they said had been known
prior to the July 21 regional conference. Eijpe stated that
earlier on August 3 the Dutch Embassy in Damascus had
reported that the Government of Syria was making a "serious
effort" to stop illegal movement on the border with Iraq, but
that the GOS lacked sufficient technical capacity and
manpower. Eijpe said she therefore believed that the Syrians
were in fact making efforts to curb encroachments into Iraq,
and that the issue was therefore not on the agenda for
further discussion with Syria at this time. She conceded,
however, that the EU has "only occasional missions" to the
border region whereas the USG has constant surveillance, and
said the GoNL would welcome any additional information, such
as specific border crossings in question or more recent
information since July 21. Seeming surprised that USG
appeared more concerned by the border with Syria than with
other neighbors, she said she would discuss the message again
with the Dutch Embassy in Damascus and relay any further
information. Kallenberg reiterated that the Dutch government
supports the regional dialogue and regularly encourages the
neighboring countries to maintain dialogue to address border
issues.

RUSSEL