NETHERLANDS/AFGHANISTAN: DUTCH STAYING THE COURSE

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 001334

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/RPM, EUR/UBI, SA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/14/2016
TAGS: MARR PREL NATO AF NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/AFGHANISTAN: DUTCH STAYING THE COURSE
DESPITE PARLIAMENT'S UNEASE

REF: THE HAGUE 1292

Classified By: CDA Chat Blakeman, reasons 1.4 (b,d)


1. (C) Summary: Parliamentary Foreign Affairs spokespersons
questioned FM Bot and DM Bot June 13 on the status of the
Dutch deployment to Uruzgan province during the first hearing
on Afghanistan since Parliament overwhelmingly approved the
mission in February. The hearing confirmed the Dutch
deployment is on-track: spokespersons from the major parties
accepted the need to fight the enemy prior to starting
reconstruction efforts and reiterated strong support.
Opposition parties offered no new arguments against the
mission. Most criticism was directed at the GONL's failure
to report heavy fighting last week to Parliament. Meanwhile,
a new poll indicates that public support for the mission is
growing. End summary.

Better Than Expected
--------------


2. (C) In an evening devoid of any real surprises, Dutch
Parliamentary Foreign Affairs spokespersons questioned FM Bot
and DM Kamp on the status of the Dutch deployment to Uruzgan
province during a four-hour hearing on June 13. The hearing
was the first since the Dutch Parliament overwhelmingly
supported the deployment on February 2. (Note: An earlier
hearing in mid-May had been postponed due to an urgent debate
on Ayaan Hirsi Ali's nationality status.)


3. (C) Spokespersons from the major parties that initially
supported the deployment -- CDA, VVD, and the main opposition
party Labor (PvdA) -- accepted the GONL's explanation that
Dutch troops will be required to fight the Taliban prior to
starting reconstruction efforts, and reiterated their support
for the mission. Even D-66 spokesperson Bert Bakker, who
opposed the mission, expressed strong support for Dutch
troops "fighting on the ground" in Afghanistan. VVD
spokesperson Hans van Baalen called for a "straight back and
a strong stomach." Supportive parliamentarians also
criticized recent comments made by D-66 Cabinet member
Pechtold suggesting the Cabinet re-examine the deployment
decision given the challenging security situation (reftel).
Bakker attacked his own party colleague, noting that the
Cabinet should "speak with one mind." PvdA spokesperson Bert
Koenders went so far as to describe the deployment as a
"stabilization mission," and called Pechtold's remarks
"dangerous and irresponsible."


4. (C) Opponents -- led by Green Left and Socialist
spokespersons Karimi and van Bommel -- repeated previous
arguments regarding whether a reconstruction mission could be
effective and successful given the deteriorating security
situation. Kamp rejected the "artificial distinction"
between a combat and a peacekeeping mission. He and FM Bot
stressed that the GONL had expected heavy resistance and was
prepared to fight, and that the reconstruction aspect of the
mission was still possible. FM Bot acknowledged that
reconstruction efforts may only start by the end of the
two-year deployment. Other parliamentary concerns voiced
included de-listing Uruzgan Governor Monib from the 1267
sanctions list and detainee issues.


5. (C) Most criticism of the GONL was directed at recent
press statements made by Dutch Col. Morsink, who reported
that Dutch forces had killed "dozens" of Taliban during heavy
fighting last week. Parliamentarians were outraged to learn
of the fighting through the press and argued it should have
been reported in a letter to Parliament by DM Kamp on June 9.
They pressed for "more openness" regarding the mission.
Kamp explained that the information reported by COL Morsink
was "not verifiable"; he therefore chose not to report it to
Parliament. Kamp also expressed concerns for the safety of
Dutch forces, and defended restrictions placed on reporters
to remain at bases. This prompted a discussion among
Parliamentarians regarding freedom of the press. Kamp denied
censorship, but noted the safety of Dutch forces was his
first priority.


6. (C) MFA Uruzgan Task Force Coordinator Pieter-Jan Kleiweg
described the hearing as "better than expected". He said
that the GONL had not expected any serious problems, but that
FM Bot and DM Kamp were well-prepared to answer
parliamentarians' concerns. He added that the major party

spokespersons had "acted responsibly," especially PvdA
spokesperson Koenders, who did not "fall victim" to attacks
from the left and stressed the Labor Party's support for the
mission.


7. (C) Prior to the hearing, MFA Deputy Director General for
Political Affairs Pieter de Gooijer told POLCOUNS that
Koenders was under pressure from the left wing of the PvdA to
attack the deployment decision, but that both Koenders and
PvdA leader Wouter Bos had made clear they had no desire to
reopen the issue. De Gooijer anticipated, however, that the
PvdA would continue to press the government to maintain a
"red line" between OEF and ISAF and on the treatment of
detainees, and would also push for greater information
sharing with parliament. On the last point, de Gooijer
expressed frustration with Col. Morsink's comments to the
press, and noted that the MOD and MFA were still trying to
work out modalities for dealing with journalists in the field
-- an area in which he suggested the U.S. military might be
able to offer some useful advice. DAO contacts also have
expressed interest in such assistance.

Third Party Transfers
--------------


8. (C) FM Bot also announced during the hearing that the GONL
had received guarantees from Afghan authorities that
prisoners detained by Dutch troops would not be transferred
without GONL consent. (Note: The Dutch press erroneously
reported FM Bot as having said detainees would "not end up at
Guantanamo Bay." End note.) Parliamentarians were pleased
with this development. MFA's Kleiweg explained to polmiloff
June 13 that the GONL had revised its MOU with Afghan
authorities along the lines of the UK MOU by including a
clause concerning third party transfer approval. He said
that the GONL hopes the NATO exchange of letters will include
a clause on third party transfers. But in the meantime, he
said the Dutch will rely on their newly revised MOU.

Bounce in Support of Mission
--------------


9. (C) A poll conducted by the survey firm TNS NIPO shows an
increase in support by the Dutch public in support of the
deployment. According to the results of the poll, 40 percent
now support the mission, up from 27 percent in December 2005.
The poll suggested that the increase in support may reflect
the recent fighting Dutch forces have experienced in Uruzgan.

BLAKEMAN