Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04THEHAGUE3162
2004-12-03 15:59:00
SECRET
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:  

THE NETHERLANDS/ISAF STAGE II EXPANSION

Tags:  MARR PREL MOPS AF NL NATO 
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S E C R E T THE HAGUE 003162 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2014
TAGS: MARR PREL MOPS AF NL NATO
SUBJECT: THE NETHERLANDS/ISAF STAGE II EXPANSION

REF: A. STATE 251753

B. DEAN-HOLLIDAY EMAIL 11/26/04

Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY POLITICAL COUNSELOR ANDREW SCHOFER FOR REA
SONS 1.4 (B AND D)

S E C R E T THE HAGUE 003162

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2014
TAGS: MARR PREL MOPS AF NL NATO
SUBJECT: THE NETHERLANDS/ISAF STAGE II EXPANSION

REF: A. STATE 251753

B. DEAN-HOLLIDAY EMAIL 11/26/04

Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY POLITICAL COUNSELOR ANDREW SCHOFER FOR REA
SONS 1.4 (B AND D)


1. (S) PolMilOff made ref A demarche to Dutch MFA Security
Policy Operations Director Rob Gabrielse on November 26
(preliminary reaction reported ref B) and raised it again
with Gabrielse on December 2. Gabrielse said this request
had been discussed within the Dutch interagency working group
that reviews military deployments and that a Dutch
contribution to ISAF Stage II was unlikely. He claimed the
problem was one of "timing," and cited various other Dutch
commitments in the coming months that would prevent them from
being able to contribute to Stage II. These commitments
include: participation in NRF IV with 4000 personnel,
providing a battalion for the NATO Strategic Reserve (which
Gabrielse said would be done without caveats, and which he
noted could be used in Afghanistan),the Dutch stabilization
deployment of 1400 personnel in Iraq (currently set to end in
March 2005) as well as possible commitment of special
operations forces to OEF. Gabrielse repeated the frequently
expressed Dutch claim that they feel they are doing their
"fair share" and that they think pressure should be put on
countries that are "not contributing." Gabrielse hoped the
informal force generation meeting at NATO on December 6 would
"sensitize" other countries to do more.


2. (C) Comment: The Dutch continue to plead overstretch in
military deployments. In addition to the missions cited by
Gabrielse, they have also renewed their commitment of a
battalion for EUFOR in Bosnia and have offered a small
contribution (approximately 130 personnel) for the NATO
Training Mission in Iraq. Dutch Army CINC LTG Urlings
frequently claims 80 percent of his deployable forces are
committed. More recently, the Dutch have been citing their
commitment to NRF IV as a reason to avoid other commitments
in early 2005. We do not detect a reluctance in principle to
expanding the Dutch presence in Afghanistan. Defense
Minister Kamp recently stated in a parliamentary defense
debate that the Netherlands "could well be involved" in a
second PRT in 2005. (As noted ref B, the Dutch are
considering a possible contribution to ISAF Stage III,
possibly in cooperation with the Canadians.) This type of
trial balloon in an open debate is a standard GONL practice
in beginning the decision-making process for a deployment.
End comment.
RUSSEL