NETHERLANDS/IRAN: IRAN-RELATED BRIEFING DELIVERED

S E C R E T THE HAGUE 003169 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/23/2015 TAGS: PARM PREL KNNP IR EU NL SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/IRAN: IRAN-RELATED BRIEFING DELIVERED REF: STATE 202164 Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Jason Grubb, reasons 1.4(B) and (D). ¶1. (S) On November 16, Washington-based analysts, accompanied by Charge, POLCOUNS, and MPP Deputy Chief, delivered a classified briefing on Iran's nuclear weaponization program to senior Dutch MFA officials. The Dutch side included Hugo Siblesz (Political Director),Pieter de Gooijer (Deputy Political Director),John Bischop (Head of the MFA's Office of Gulf Affairs); and Paul Wilke (Head of the MFA's Office of Nuclear and Non-Proliferation Affairs.) ¶2. (S) The Dutch side expressed appreciation for the briefing, and agreed that the information was "disturbing." They asked a number of questions but did not question the credibility of the material. Siblesz asked whether thought had been given to publicizing the information more widely to bring international pressure to bear on Iran; the briefers responded that the material was currently being provided only to a very limited audience directly involved in the issue, including UNSC and IAEA BOG members. The Dutch side expressed appreciation for being included in this select group. BLAKEMAN