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