NETHERLANDS/TACTOM: PARLIAMENT GIVES GO AHEAD ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 003159

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/23/2015
TAGS: PGOV MARR NL PREL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/TACTOM: PARLIAMENT GIVES GO AHEAD ON
TACTOM

REF: THE HAGUE 3024

Classified By: Charge D'Affaires Chat Blakeman, reasons 1.4 (b,d)


1. (C) Summary: The Dutch government secured parliamentary
approval November 22 to purchase 30 tactical tomahawk
(TACTOM) missiles for two of its new LC frigates at a cost of
approximately 57 million EURO. The Netherlands will become
only the third country to acquire TACTOM after the United
States and the United Kingdom. The Dutch government is
currently working on an official "letter of request" to the
U.S. Navy for the purchase. End summary.

Parliament Votes In Favor of TACTOM
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2. (C) On November 22, the Dutch Parliament voted down two
resolutions tabled from the November 16-17 defense policy
debates requesting the government to overturn its decision to
procure 30 TACTOMs from the U.S. Opposition Labor Party
(PvdA) spokesman Luuk Blom sponsored the first resolution
suggesting that TACTOM was not a priority. The second
resolution by Socialist Party spokesman Van Velzen described
the acquisition as undesirable as it would draw Dutch forces
unwillingly into offensive wars. By rejecting these
resolutions, Parliament removed one of the last remaining
hurdles to Defense Minister Henk Kamp's moving ahead with the
procurement. The Dutch government is currently drafting an
official "letter of request" to the U.S. Navy to purchase
TACTOM, and has requested updated financial information from
ODC to ensure that the request is in order.

CDA Swings in Favor
--------------


3. (C) The Christian Democratic Alliance (CDA) held the
parliamentary swing on the TACTOM purchase (reftel). While
supportive of the acquisition, the CDA had earlier questioned
whether TACTOM should be a priority following the loss of two
Chinook transport helicopters and one Apache attack
helicopter during missions in Afghanistan. CDA spokesman
Roland Kortenhorst said November 17 the CDA will support the
purchase following news that Finance Minister Gerrit Zalm
would make available additional funds next year to replace
the helicopters. CDA joined the Conservative Liberals (VVD)
and Social Democrats (D-66) to vote down the two opposition
party resolutions.

Comment:
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4. (C) Although the decision to purchase TACTOM's remains
controversial and unpopular with large sectors of the public
and parliament, the rejection of the opposition motions
clears the way for the government to proceed.


BLAKEMAN