Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04THEHAGUE2617
2004-10-12 15:50:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:  

DUTCH RESPONSE ON HYDROFLUOROCARBONS (HFCS)

Tags:  ETRD SENV NL USTR 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS THE HAGUE 002617 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT PLEASE PASS TO USTR FOR LMOLNAR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD SENV NL USTR
SUBJECT: DUTCH RESPONSE ON HYDROFLUOROCARBONS (HFCS)
DEMARCHE

REF: A. STATE 199407

B. MOLNAR-ENSTROM EMAIL AUGUST 3

C. ENSTROM-MOLNAR EMAIL AUGUST 27

D. MOLNAR-ENSTROM EMAIL SEPTEMBER 13

THIS MESSAGE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED.

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 002617

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT PLEASE PASS TO USTR FOR LMOLNAR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD SENV NL USTR
SUBJECT: DUTCH RESPONSE ON HYDROFLUOROCARBONS (HFCS)
DEMARCHE

REF: A. STATE 199407

B. MOLNAR-ENSTROM EMAIL AUGUST 3

C. ENSTROM-MOLNAR EMAIL AUGUST 27

D. MOLNAR-ENSTROM EMAIL SEPTEMBER 13

THIS MESSAGE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED.


1. (SBU) On September 17, EconCouns discussed ref A points
with Tilly Swartepoorte, Director of Climate Change and
Industry, Dutch Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the
Environment (VROM). Post delivered the same day ref A points
and related European Partnership for Energy and Environment
(EPEE) slides to VROM HFCs expert Frans van de Bercken.
Based on ref B, Post had delivered similar points and
background to van de Bercken in early August and reported the
Dutch position on HFCs to USTR via email on August 27 (ref
C). At that time, van de Bercken noted that the October 14
meeting of Environment Ministers was likely to approve a
regulation gradually banning the use of HFCs for
refrigerating purposes. He said the Dutch expected the HFCs
regulation to be based on article 95 of the Treaty and to
provide for a phasing-out period varying from six to nine
years. The Dutch, he added, hoped to finalize the so-called
"F-Gases" regulation reducing the use of HFCs during their EU
Presidency. Although some member states (i.e., Austria and
Denmark) were insisting on a rapid ban on HFCs, van de
Bercken was confident that the regulation would provide for a
generous phasing-out period.


2. (SBU) After repeated follow-up attempts to the September
17 demarche, van de Bercken informed post on October 12 that
he would not be able to comment on the Dutch position ahead
of the October 14 meeting of Environment Ministers. He said
he would only note that the Dutch in their capacity as EU
President would seek a compromise on the issue among EU
member states. However, post also understands from ref D
that Dutch Trade Minister Karien van Gennip noted in meetings
at USTR in mid-September that the Dutch were aware of USG
concerns and were working on this issue in the Council in
order to avoid anything radical in terms of product bans.
Moreover, the Dutch currently have in place as alternatives
to managing/containing HFCs stop-gap measures that limit the
emissions of HFCs in the pre- and post-production states of
refrigerating products but do not put limits on their use.
The Dutch thus recognize the need for a regulation that
provides for a gradual ban on HFCs.
SOBEL