UN REFORM/NETHERLANDS: DISLIKE FOR G4 FRAMEWORK

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 001937 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/01/2015 TAGS: PREL NL UNSC SUBJECT: UN REFORM/NETHERLANDS: DISLIKE FOR G4 FRAMEWORK RESOLUTION REF: A. STATE 126870 ¶B. THE HAGUE 1793 Classified By: CDA Chat Blakeman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Charge and Acting PolCouns met Dutch MFA Director for UN Affairs Karel van Kesteren July 8 to share ref A points. The GONL has not decided how it will vote on the resolution, holding open the option of working for amendments. Van Kesteren said that as the resolution currently stands, the Netherlands would not vote in favor, however there may be a political decision to do otherwise because of the sensitivity of the Dutch/German relationship. The FM and PM will make the decision. Noting that the GONL had just completed a videoconference with the Germans on the issue, van Kesteren said the Dutch position would also be guided by their considerations of longer term EU policy, as their ultimate goal is a future EU seat on the UNSC. The GONL sees merit in a Germany and Japanese presence on the Security Council; on the other hand, adding another EU member would complicate formulation of the common foreign and security policy, van Kesteren believed. ¶2. Charge outlined U.S. objections to both the timing and substance of the G4 resolution. For his part, van Kesteren cited two problems with the text: "ambiguous veto language" and the "lack of a review clause" -- the Dutch do not want to freeze any changes in the UNSC into the Charter "forever" (ref b). The Dutch prefer to create an opportunity to review the situation after perhaps 15 years. The Netherlands also doubts the effectiveness of a 25 member council but would be prepared "give it a try." ¶3. (C) Van Kesteren conceded the importance of making progress on U.S. priorities of UN management, human rights and UN credibility. He said the dilemma was that it might take another ten years to get consensus on Security Council reform if the UN misses this opportunity. At the same time, the GONL fears risking the whole reform movement if Security Council reform ties up the next version of the draft Outcomes Document. Complicating matters for the Dutch, who seek consensus, was the fact that this resolution will be divisive in the UNGA given the opposition of such countries as Italy, Pakistan and Mexico, van Kesteren acknowledged. BLAKEMAN