NETHERLANDS/GAERC: DUTCH EXPECTATIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 000427

SIPDIS

EUR/ERA FOR VOLKER AND BISHARAT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/14/2015
TAGS: KPAL PREL IR UP MD SU CG SR BK NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/GAERC: DUTCH EXPECTATIONS

REF: SECSTATE 25111

Classified By: A/POL Nathaniel Dean for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: Preparing a positive agenda for the
President's visit, the EU is actively seeking forward-looking
ways to engage with the U.S. on a range of issues while the
Luxembourg Presidency struggles to control an agenda where 25
Heads of State/Foreign Ministers want a chance to speak. The
Dutch ask if the new U.S. money for Palestinian reform would
be for contractors or for direct budget support. On Iraq, the
Dutch press the EU to support missions dedicated to police
training and rule of law; it is up to the Commission whether
or not to open an office in Baghdad, not the GAERC (and the
Netherlands wants to see such an EU outpost). The Dutch
continue to urge Croatia to surrender Gotovina before the EU
opens accession talks. Sudan action depends on the UNSC,
where the Dutch hope to get a no-fly zone included in any
UNSC resolution; failure to act on sanctions while continuing
to discuss them could damage EU credibility. End Summary.


TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONS/PRESIDENT'S VISIT


2. (C) Poloff met Adriaan Palm (MFA, Office of Political
Affairs, EU Presidency Coordinator) February 14 to review
reftel points. Palm said the EU was actively seeking
"positive and forward-looking ways to cooperate with the
United States." As for the format of the Summit itself, the
complication is that all Heads of State want to speak. Palm
said the Luxembourg Presidency was dividing up the agenda and
it is unlikely all 25 will speak. Dutch PM Balkenende is
expected to address "terrorism." At the Foreign Minister
level, Palm said Luxembourg hopes to organize interventions
but he could not promise that all 25 would not speak in that
forum.


3. (C) MEPP

The Lux Presidency will attend the March 1 meeting but the
Dutch have not been invited, Palm said. He welcomed the $350
million in new funds that the Administration has requested,
and he asked "if it would be money going to USAID, hence to
contractors, or could it go to direct budget support?"

IRAQ


4. (C) The Dutch are pushing for police training and rule
of law missions in Iraq. They want a positive decision at
the GAERC so that the EU will have something positive to show
at the Summit. At this point, the Dutch want to support the
Iraqi transition, Palm said, including finding ways to help
in the drafting of the new Constitution. While it is "too
early to say what to expect out of the new government," Palm
noted, "the Dutch hope they will form one quickly" since a
vacuum would create dangerous opportunities for those wanting
to disrupt the transition.


5. (C) As for an "EU office" as called for in reftel, Palm
observed that it is up to the EU Commission to decide whether
to open an office or not. He said the Dutch and other Member
States have been pushing the Commission on this point already
and it was not up to the GAERC to decide; it is up to the
Commission and the Iraqis.

WESTERN BALKANS


6. (C) On Croatia, the Dutch still favor the surrender of
Gotovina as a prerequisite to opening accession talks with
Croatia and they are making this point in EU councils, Palm
said. At the GAERC, the Dutch plan to repeat the same "firm
message" they gave at the January GAERC, he added. Palm
asked what the USG would like to see come out of the upcoming
Summit regarding Kosovo.

EUROPEAN NEIGHBORHOOD POLICY (UKRAINE/MOLDOVA)


7. (C) Palm drew attention to an expected declaration on
Moldova, which announces the EU will send observers there and
appoint a Special Representative (likely at the March GAERC).

SUDAN


8. (C) The GAERC will continue trying to pressure the
Rebels in Sudan, Palm said; the "EU is looking for sticks to
use." The Dutch want to see a no-fly zone included in any
UNSC resolution and they expect the GAERC to discuss what
measures can be taken in this regard. The EU is still
discussing sanctions, he noted, but if there is no action on
them the Dutch fear the EU will start to lose credibility.
On the ICC, Palm added that he did not expect the issue to
arise before the President's visit (as it could be
potentially embarrassing) but that he would expect movement
thereafter.

GREAT LAKES


9. (C) The GAERC will examine three issues, Palm said: a)
strengthening the mandate of MONUC; c) using troops from the
AU; (c) finding ways to strengthen the Congolese army and
reforming the security services.
SOBEL