US VISIT BY CROWN PRINCE OF THE NETHERLANDS

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 002913 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OVIP PGOV KPAO NL SUBJECT: US VISIT BY CROWN PRINCE OF THE NETHERLANDS REF: A. 10/25/05 POLITICS IN THE NETHERLANDS ¶B. SCHOFER-REITER E-MAIL 10/25/05 ¶1. (U) On October 25, 2005, the Dutch press reported that FM Bot announced during October 24 meetings in Washington that Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander (aka Prince of Orange) planned to visit Washington D.C. on November 8, 2005. According to the press reports, the Crown Prince intends to meet with senior officials of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (NFI) and possibly other senior USG officials to discuss Water Management issues and to promote Dutch involvement in post-Katrina reconstruction efforts. The Crown Prince reportedly also plans to invite a delegation of Congressmen to visit the Netherlands during the upcoming recess. ¶2. (SBU) Post has contacted the Crown Prince's Office and MFA, both of whom confirmed that the Crown Prince plans to arrive in the U.S. on/about November 6 and depart on/about November 9. He reportedly anticipates only one day of official meetings in Washington, but will also spend 1-2 days in New York on a private program. The trip has not yet been formally announced and further details are not currently available. According to the MFA, the Dutch Embassy in Washington is coordinating arrangements for the visit directly with the Crown Prince's staff. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: The Crown Prince has a long-standing interest in water management issues and is an honorary member of the World Commission on Water for the 21st Century and patron of the Global Water Partnership. It is therefore not surprising that he would be chosen to represent the Netherlands on a high-profile visit intended to promote Dutch-U.S. partnership in water management areas. We anticipate that the visit will receive extensive press coverage in the Netherlands. End Comment. BLAKEMAN