UNGA 59/EAST TIMOR ACCOUNTABILITY - DUTCH SUPPORT

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 002382

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KJUS KAWC PHUM NL
SUBJECT: UNGA 59/EAST TIMOR ACCOUNTABILITY - DUTCH SUPPORT
UN ACTION

REF: SECSTATE 201717


1. (SBU) The Dutch "fully support" the idea of the UN
Secretariat forming a Commission of Experts (COE) to evaluate

SIPDIS
the work of the Ad Hoc Tribunal and Serious Crimes Unit and
report on next steps regarding accountability for the 1999
atrocities on East Timor. However, Indonesian reluctance to
forming a COE remains an obstacle, noted Jetti Kouwen, on the
Dutch MFA Indonesia desk, with whom Poloff shared reftel
points on September 20. Kouwen's Washington counterpart,
Peter Potman, had briefed her on the Washington meetings
(reftel).


2. (SBU) Kouwen knew of no Dutch plans to pursue the issue
during this week's UNGA meetings. Poloff urged her to advise
her colleagues in New York that the USG would be working this
issue at a high level on the margins of the UNGA and would
count on Dutch support and assistance to move planning ahead.
Kouwen suggested USDel contact Geroen Roodenburg, head of
the Political Department at the Dutch UN Mission, for follow
up.
SOBEL