Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05THEHAGUE1941
2005-07-11 14:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:  

NETHERLANDS/GAERC: DUTCH EXPECTATIONS

Tags:  EAID LE PREL SY TU UZ NL UN 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 001941 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/11/2015
TAGS: EAID LE PREL SY TU UZ NL UN
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/GAERC: DUTCH EXPECTATIONS

REF: STATE 124856

Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Nathaniel Dean for reasons
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 001941

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/11/2015
TAGS: EAID LE PREL SY TU UZ NL UN
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/GAERC: DUTCH EXPECTATIONS

REF: STATE 124856

Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Nathaniel Dean for reasons 1.
4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Responding to reftel, the Dutch MFA was
prickly in response to the suggestion there be no "package
approach" to UN reform. The Dutch thought Syria was
improving its behavior in Lebanon in response to
international pressure and suggested they are doing their
best under the circumstances. The Dutch agreed generally
with USG positions on Turkey, Iran and Uzbekistan. After
noticing there were no points on Zimbabwe and the Middle
East, the Dutch noted that the EU approach to Gaza withdrawal
will be discussed at the GAERC. End Summary.

UNGA OUTCOMES: WOULD THE USG VETO A PACKAGE DEAL?


2. (C) Poloff delivered reftel points to Adriaan Palm (MFA,
Deputy European Correspondent) on July 7 and reaffirmed that
the USG does not favor a package deal approach to UN reform
at the HLE. Palm resisted, stating that failure in New York
in September "would be a bad idea." He floated the notion
that a reform package might be sustainable if it explicitly
excluded the issue of UN Security Council reform. He asked
if the USG would veto a package if one were to appear at the
HLE, to which Poloff replied that the USG always negotiates
in good faith.

SYRIA/LEBANON: GIVE THE SYRIANS CREDIT FOR EFFORTS MADE


3. (C) Palm questioned reftel points on Syrian intelligence
operatives in Lebanon, stating, "The Israelis have them and
the Americans have them there," implying that the Syrians
should have the right to post intelligence operatives as
well. Poloff countered that Syrian agents were determined to
destabilize Lebanon. Palm argued that the EU and Syria had
invested resources to patrol the Syria/Iraq border and
pointedly asked if the Iraqis and Americans were doing all
they could on the other side. (He implied the border could
be better controlled were there visa requirements for
nationals' travel between Iraq and Syria.) Acknowledging
that Syria had fortified its border security in response to
international pressure, he warned against the West applying
too much pressure in Damascus lest "the pressure cooker
explode."

TURKEY: TIGHT EU SCHEDULE LEAVES LITTLE TIME FOR MANEUVERING


4. (C) Quoting "pacta sunt servanda," Palm impatiently
cautioned that Turkey must fulfill its own obligations taken
under the December 17 deal. The British Presidency schedule
had left little time to finalize the accession negotiation
plans. He complained that the July GAERC could be the last
formal meeting empowered to take decisions until the October
3 GAERC, which the British double-booked with the first
Turkey/EU meeting. There is no September GAERC, but the
informal Gymnich that month could conclude accession program
plans as an "A" point to present for adoption on October 3,
Palm nervously surmised. He added that, by tradition, the EU
holds a GAERC in September on the margins of the New York
UNGA, where the plans for Turkey could be tweaked.

US/EU POLICY ON IRAN STILL TRACKING


5. (C) Palm agreed with the points on Iran.

UZBEKISTAN: RATCHETING UP THE EU RESPONSE


6. (C) Palm wanted to reassure the USG that the EU will take
measures to address the issue of Uzbekistan,s passed
deadline on establishing a credible, transparent and
independent investigation of the Andijon incident. He said
that "real action is needed," and suggested the EU would take
a gradual approach, starting by targeting restrictions on the
leadership. The EU would discuss graduated sanctions
including suspension of the Uzbek-EU agreement. At the same
time, Palm asked if the USG did not want to take a tougher
stance on Uzbekistan though it might conflict with our
cooperation with the Uzbeks on the war in terror.

DUTCH LOOKED FOR POINTS ON ZIMBABWE AND THE MIDDLE EAST


7. (C) Palm was openly surprised that there were no talking
points on Zimbabwe or the Middle East. He mentioned that the
EU approach to Gaza withdrawal will be discussed at the GAERC.
BLAKEMAN