NETHERLANDS/VENEZUELA: SEEKING PARITY TO OUR

S E C R E T THE HAGUE 003112 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2015 TAGS: PREL PARM MARR MASS NL VE SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/VENEZUELA: SEEKING PARITY TO OUR VENEZUELA ARMS TRANSFER POLICY REF: SECSTATE 207628 Classified By: Acting DCM Andrew J. Schofer for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (S) On November 16, Polcouns shared reftel concerns of Venezuelan arms acquisitions with Robert de Groot (Head of the Office of Security Policy, MFA). De Groot said the Dutch understood U.S. concerns and were also troubled by Venezuelan activities. He added that the Dutch would continue to look for ways to raise Venezuela-related issues in EU fora. ¶2. (S) On the same day, Defense Attach shared points with Maj. Gen. Eikelboom (Director of Operations, MOD). Eikelboom expressed gratitude for the U.S. perspective and requested that the points be shared with interlocutors at the MFA. ¶3. (S) On November 17, Poloff followed up with Dimitri Vogelaar (Venezuela Desk Officer, MFA). Vogelaar welcomed the points and reiterated that the Dutch appreciate our concerns, particularly with regard to Spanish arms sales to Venezuela. Vogelaar explained that FM Bot plans to speak with Spanish FM Moratinos on the margins of an upcoming EU meeting in December; he suggested that reftel concerns may inform Bot's remarks. BLAKEMAN