Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04THEHAGUE3302
2004-12-20 16:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:  

ITER: DUTCH HOPE TO MAINTAIN TALKS' MOMENTUM,

Tags:  PREL TRGY NL EU 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 003302 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/UBI/HOLLIDAY
STATE PLEASE PASS TO DEPT. OF ENERGY, MCSLARROW AND ORBACH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/20/2014
TAGS: PREL TRGY NL EU
SUBJECT: ITER: DUTCH HOPE TO MAINTAIN TALKS' MOMENTUM,
JAPANESE FLEXIBILITY

REF: SECSTATE 268243

Classified By: Richard Huff, Economic Counselor for reasons 1.5 (B) and
(D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 003302

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/UBI/HOLLIDAY
STATE PLEASE PASS TO DEPT. OF ENERGY, MCSLARROW AND ORBACH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/20/2014
TAGS: PREL TRGY NL EU
SUBJECT: ITER: DUTCH HOPE TO MAINTAIN TALKS' MOMENTUM,
JAPANESE FLEXIBILITY

REF: SECSTATE 268243

Classified By: Richard Huff, Economic Counselor for reasons 1.5 (B) and
(D)


1. (U) On December 20 econ counselor and econ off delivered
reftel demarche letter and talking points to Pim Fenger,
Denise Heiligers and Joost Teverne, ITER policy advisors to
Dutch Minister for Science van der Hoeven.


2. (C) Fenger and Teverne stressed that the talks were at a
critical moment. On December 31 the EU presidency shifts to
Luxembourg, who, in Teverne's words "speaks French better
than Dutch." Thus far the Luxembourgers have not asked the
Dutch to hold competency for ITER when their presidency ends.
With ten days left, however, it was still possible to reach
an agreement. Teverne said his minister hoped the
negotiations could sustain positive momentum.


3. (C) Teverne said van der Hoeven had appreciated the good
communications with the U.S. side. There was
"disappointment," however, at perceived Japanese stalling.
Furthermore, the Japanese proposal for dedicated procurement
for the non-host country had not resonated with EU member
states. The Dutch feel Minister van der Hoeven had delivered
on her promise to preserve the six-party framework during her
country's presidency, and requested that U.S. negotiators
press the Japanese to remain flexible in negotiations.


4. (C) Minister van der Hoeven will talk with Japanese
Minister for Technology Nakayama on Tuesday, December 21.
The call comes at the Japanese minister's request. Our
interlocutors did not know what Nakayama would say, but said
van der Hoeven was very interested in the Japanese official's
message.
SOBEL