Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04THEHAGUE3133
2004-12-01 11:16:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:  

NETHERLANDS/CROATIA: EU ATTITUDE TOWARDS ICTY

Tags:  KAWC PREL PGOV NL TU HR ICTY EUN 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 003133 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2014
TAGS: KAWC PREL PGOV NL TU HR ICTY EUN
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/CROATIA: EU ATTITUDE TOWARDS ICTY
CONDITIONALITY ON CROATIA

REF: SECSTATE 254097

Classified By: Political Counselor Andrew Schofer for reasons 1.4 (b) a
nd (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 003133

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2014
TAGS: KAWC PREL PGOV NL TU HR ICTY EUN
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/CROATIA: EU ATTITUDE TOWARDS ICTY
CONDITIONALITY ON CROATIA

REF: SECSTATE 254097

Classified By: Political Counselor Andrew Schofer for reasons 1.4 (b) a
nd (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: There is "no daylight" between the USG and
Dutch national position on Croatia and its obligation to
cooperate with the ICTY, Alle Dorhout (MFA European
Integration Department Croatia officer) confirmed to Poloff
and Legaloff when discussing reftel points November 30. The
Dutch, however, face an almost evenly divided Council on
whether to go hard or easy on Croatia during the December 17
European Council summit. The UK reportedly leads the strict
group while Germany leads those pushing for leniency.
Internal Dutch Presidency papers report that Commissioner
Rehn assured the Croats during his November 25 visit in
Zagreb that their accession would be no problem as long as
they hand over Gotovina, he hoped before December 17; the
Dutch assess the chances of this are small, however.
Finally, the issue of offering Croatia a date for negotiating
EC accession may become linked to a larger package connected
to Romania and Bulgaria (septel). End Summary.


2. (C) Dutch working papers shared confidentially with
Poloff (strictly protect) reveal that the UK, Poland, Sweden,
Denmark, Slovenia, Finland, Lithuania, Belgium and Portugal
(plus the Czech Republic showing tendencies this way) are
"against giving a date to Croatia if nothing is done on the
condition of "complete cooperation" with the ICTY." Germany
plus France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Latvia, and Estonia (plus
Slovakia showing tendencies this way) want to "execute the
Council conclusions from June," meaning giving Croatia a date
to open talks without condition.


3. (SBU) The Dutch need to find a December 17 bargain that
can satisfy both camps. The draft text (shared with Poloff
and emailed, along with the entire draft Council conclusions
to EUR and USEU) reads:

"-- The European Council noted with satisfaction the progress
made by Croatia in preparation for the opening of accession
negotiations.

-- Recalling its conclusions of June 2004, it urged Croatia
to take the necessary steps for full cooperation with the
ICTY and reiterated that the remaining indictee must be
located and transferred to the Hague as soon as possible.

-- It invited the Commission to present to the Council a
proposal for a framework for negotiations with Croatia,
taking full account of the experience of the fifth
enlargement. It requested the Council to agree on that
framework with a view to opening the accession negotiations
on (DATE) provided that full cooperation with ICTY has been
confirmed by the Council."


4. (C) Dorhout drew attention to the open question on the
duty of the Council to "confirm" Croatia's full ICTY
cooperation before a date could be set. He said the
negotiations between now and December 17 would necessarily
concentrate on what evidence the Council could demand to
confirm it and what role the ICTY would have in the process.
Poloff suggested that the EU's commitment to "effective
multilateralism" should require Croatia's cooperation with
the ICTY and might be a point to use with the German camp, a
point Dorhout agreed could be a useful approach. In the
internal Dutch presidency report seen by Poloff reporting
Commission Rehn's visit in Zagreb November 25, he is reported
to have assessed as "small" the chances of Croatia's
following through before December 17.


5. (C) Finally, Dorhout cautioned that some in the Ministry
were anticipating that Germany and France would negotiate for
a date on Croatia by linking it to Turkey. Only half joking,
Dorhout recalled that Turkey always wants to be treated the
same as Croatia; they might get their wish if the two dates
become linked. Poloff emphasized the USG hope that the two
issues remain strictly separated at the Council.
RUSSEL