NETHERLANDS/SUDAN: DUTCH MAY SEND UNMIS TROOPS

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 003145

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PREF MARR SU NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/SUDAN: DUTCH MAY SEND UNMIS TROOPS



1. (U) The Dutch recently moved a step closer to committing
troops to the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS).
According to press reports, the Dutch cabinet on November 18
reached internal agreement to deploy 15 military observers,
15 police officers, and 5 staff officers to UNMIS for a
one-year period. Military observers will operate in the Juba
sector in teams including representatives of the former
warring factions, while the police officers will be seconded
to the UNMIS police mission in the same region.


2. (SBU) Despite the positive Cabinet decision, actual
deployment is contingent on a number of factors, including
approval by Dutch Parliament. Hans Docter (Deputy Director,
Sudan Task Force, MFA) explained to poloff on November 22
that Parliament's approval will depend on the security
situation in the Juba region. Docter intimated that, if the
situation deteriorates, Parliament's imprimatur may be
difficult to secure.


3. (SBU) Docter hoped Parliament would review the cabinet's
decision during the November 23 and 24 budget debate. In the
event that it does not -- which Docter admitted was a
distinct possibility -- the Cabinet would call a special
hearing to solicit Parliamentary review of the UNMIS
proposal. Docter was skeptical whether such a hearing could
be called before the new year.
BLAKEMAN