NETHERLANDS/NATO: DUTCH LOOKING AT SMALL RESPONSE

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 001263

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/RPM, EUR/UBI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/06/2016
TAGS: PREL MARR NATO NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/NATO: DUTCH LOOKING AT SMALL RESPONSE
FORCE CONTRIBUTION

REF: STATE 89347

Classified By: Ambassador Roland Arnall, reasons 1.4 (b,d)


1. (C) Summary: Dutch MOD Director for General Policy Lo
Casteleijn said June 6 the GONL is considering options to
help fill NATO Response Force (NRF) 7 and 8 shortfalls. He
could not make any promises -- the contribution would be
small and much depended on what Dutch MOD military planners
could generate. But Dutch Defense Minister Henk Kamp hoped
to announce this contribution at the NATO Defense Ministerial
on June 8, Casteleijn said. Dutch MFA Director General for
Political Affairs separately said that the Dutch should be in
a position to help solicit support from others to fill the
shortfalls. Ambassador Arnall discussed reftel points with
Casteleijn and Siblesz on June 6. End summary.


2. (C) On June 6, Ambassador Arnall discussed reftel demarche
points soliciting allied support to fill NRF 7 and 8
shortfalls with MOD General Policy Director Lo Casteleijn and
MFA Director General for Political Affairs Hugo Siblesz. In
response, Casteleijn said he had already discussed the
possibility of contributing to NRF 7 and 8 with Defense
Minister Kamp following a phone call from ASD Peter Flory on
June 2. Casteleijn said the Dutch recognize that the USG has
answered the call made by NATO Military Authorities. He
agreed with the Ambassador that several Allies should "step
up to the plate" in order to ensure that NRF 7 and 8 remain
"Alliance" priorities. He said Kamp hoped to announce at the
June 8 NATO Defense Ministerial that the Dutch would make a
small contribution to help fill the shortfalls. However,
Casteleijn could not make any promises -- much depended on
the ability of Dutch MOD military planners to generate an
appropriate but meaningful contribution in the short time
period remaining.


3. (C) Casteleijn also reiterated that the Dutch support the
USG regarding the frequent and flexible use of the NRF,
including for humanitarian assistance efforts. "What is the
point in having the NRF if we do not use it?" he asked. He
noted that the French continue to oppose this interpretation,
and said the French Defense Minister plans to reiterate this
during the Defense Ministerial at the end of the week.


4. (C) In a separate meeting with the Ambassador, Siblesz
echoed Casteleijn's frustration that the Alliance has not
reached clear consensus on how and when to deploy the NRF.
He stressed that the NRF will become irrelevant if it is not
used, and complained that a small number of countries,
including the Netherlands, have so far borne the burden of
staffing and funding it. Siblesz did not indicate whether
the Dutch would be able to make a direct contribution to the
upcoming phases, but made clear they were prepared to work
with other members to fill the anticipated shortfalls.


ARNALL