DUTCH PUT UN PROTECTION FORCE ON PSC AGENDA

S E C R E T THE HAGUE 002095

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/UBI, PM/RSAT, PM/PMAT, AND NEA-I

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/23/2024
TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR IZ GB NL UN EUN
SUBJECT: DUTCH PUT UN PROTECTION FORCE ON PSC AGENDA

REF: STATE 180598

Classified By: ANDREW SCHOFER, POLCOUNS, FOR REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D).


1. (S) On August 23, POLCOUNS discussed reftel points with
Dutch MFA officials Bahia Tahzib (Deputy European
Correspondent) and Adri van Loopik (Head of the Gulf States
Division in the Department of North Africa and Middle East
Affairs). (Note: POLOFFS had previously discussed the issue
with Tahzib and her boss, European Correspondent Joep
Wijnands, on August 19). Tahzib and van Loopik told POLCOUNS
that the issue had been placed by the Dutch on the agenda of
the Political and Security Committee (PSC) meeting scheduled
for August 24. Reftel points, they said, would be taken into
account in preparing the Dutch position for the meeting. The
Dutch, as president, had also circulated a copy of UNSYG
Annan's letter requesting support for UN operations in Iraq
to members in preparation for the meeting (sent via e-mail to
EUR/UBI, EUR/ERA, and USEU).


2. (S) Tahzib and van Loopik noted that raising the issue in
the PSC before considering it at the working group level
(COMEM) was a break from normal practice, which was warranted
by the importance of the issue and the need to take a timely
decision. Tahzib stressed that the Dutch wanted the issue
discussed before the EU "exploratory mission" (headed by MFA
Deputy Political Director Hermann Schaaper) departed for Iraq
at the end of the month. The issue could then be taken up by
the Gymnich on September 3-4, the COMEM meeting scheduled for
September 6 or 7, and, if necessary, the GAERC on September
13-14.


3. (S) Tahzib and van Loopik stressed that discussion at the
PSC would be exploratory in nature. As president, the Dutch
saw their role at this stage as "testing the water" to see
whether the EU could take a coordinated position. Some
states, they said, had earlier expressed confusion about the
request -- particularly with regard to the amount required --
and in some cases irritation at the manner in which
individual states (but not others) had been approached. They
did not expect these concerns to create serious problems at
the PSC or subsequent discussions, however. Tahzib and van
Loopik noted that all EU members were on record supporting a
strengthened UN role in Iraq and on the need to ensure that
any UN presence there was adequately protected.


4. (S) Van Loopik observed that even if consensus emerged
among EU members to support the UN protection force, the
money would still need to be wrestled out of the Commission;
the Dutch, as president, would be prepared to "do battle with
the Commission" on this if necessary. Another option, he
suggested, would be for individual states to make separate
contributions. Tahzib and van Loopik emphasized that
discussion of the issue was still at a very early stage
within the EU and urged patience. At POLCOUNS request, they
promised to provide feedback from the PSC meeting and to
coordinate closely on the issue.
RUSSEL