NETHERLANDS/ASHRAF REPATRIATIONS: STILL UNDER

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 002783

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/UBI (HOLLIDAY) AND NEA/I (EPSTEIN)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2014
TAGS: PHUM PREF PREL PTER IZ IR NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/ASHRAF REPATRIATIONS: STILL UNDER
DISCUSSION

REF: A. (A) STATE 212970

B. (B) THE HAGUE 2206

C. (C) BUCKNEBERG-JOST EMAIL OF 10/5/04

D. (D) BUCKNEBERG-EPSTEIN EMAIL OF 10/19/04

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

(C) Pursuant to refs A and B, Embassy has continued to follow
up with MFA Asylum and Migration Division regarding cases in
which Ashraf residents claim ties to the Netherlands. As per
refs C and D, Asylum and Migration Division Regional
Coordinator for Asia Marja van der Lynden requested on
October 5 copies of any available identification and/or
residency documents that could assist the Dutch in their
investigation of the cases, pointing out that such documents
could clarify spelling differences and help move cases along
absent a Dutch delegation to Ashraf. Van der Lynden
confirmed October 28 that the MFA and MOJ have not yet
reached agreement on a strategy for handling the cases, are
still awaiting a response from the U.S. regarding
documentation, and continue to consider the security
situation in Baghdad prohibitive of sending a delegation at
this time. Please advise.
SOBEL