Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06THEHAGUE1378
2006-06-20 12:39:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:  

DUTCH CT COORDINATOR REITERATES CONCERN OVER

Tags:  PTER PINR KCRM PGOV PREL NL 
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VZCZCXRO4791
PP RUEHAG
DE RUEHTC #1378/01 1711239
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 201239Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6064
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 001378 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/UBI, S/CT, DS/IP/EUR, D/HS, INR, INL
JUSTICE FOR OIA - JFRIEDMAN
DHS FOR OIA - DSEQUEIRA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/11/2016
TAGS: PTER PINR KCRM PGOV PREL NL
SUBJECT: DUTCH CT COORDINATOR REITERATES CONCERN OVER
RADICALIZATION

REF: A. A) THE HAGUE 1314


B. B) THE HAGUE 488

C. C) THE HAGUE 368

Classified By: Global Issues Chief Susan Garro for Reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 001378

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/UBI, S/CT, DS/IP/EUR, D/HS, INR, INL
JUSTICE FOR OIA - JFRIEDMAN
DHS FOR OIA - DSEQUEIRA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/11/2016
TAGS: PTER PINR KCRM PGOV PREL NL
SUBJECT: DUTCH CT COORDINATOR REITERATES CONCERN OVER
RADICALIZATION

REF: A. A) THE HAGUE 1314


B. B) THE HAGUE 488

C. C) THE HAGUE 368

Classified By: Global Issues Chief Susan Garro for Reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).


1. (C) SUMMARY. National Counter Terrorism Coordinator
Tjibbe Joustra told the Ambassador June 9 that he was
seriously concerned about Islamist radicalization, through
both the Internet and a handful of problematic mosques; he
said radicalization now seemed to be moving at a faster pace,
in particular among young Dutch Muslims. He noted that the
June 6 terrorism threat progress report had maintained the
threat level for the Netherlands at "substantial," where it
has been since June 2005. Joustra's comments echoed the June
7 threat report, which emphasized radicalization, especially
the growing influence of the Salafist movement, as a key
factor in the overall threat situtation in the Netherlands.
Joustra said he believed the Dutch CT structure was now on a
par with that of other EU member states. END SUMMARY.

Worried about Radicalization
--------------


2. (C) During their June 9 meeting, National CT Coordinator
Joustra and Ambassador Arnall discussed the terrorist threat
situation in the Netherlands and the government's responses
to it, and security for Aayan Hirsi Ali (Ref A). Joustra
said that the overall threat situation had not changed
significantly in the past year; he noted that the threat
rating had been at "substantial" since June 2005. This
rating, he said, indicated that there was real potential for
a terrorist attack, but no concrete information that a
specific attack was imminent. ("Substantial" is the second
highest of four threat levels.) He added that in some
respects, things were "quieter" this year than they were at
the same time last year, partly as a result of the arrests of
additional members of the Hofstad group in October 2005.
Joustra indicated that continuing concern about

radicalization was a significant factor in the government's
terrorism threat analysis, stating that, "the whole process
of radicalization is really worrying me." This was taking
place at a faster pace than previously. He said the
geographic spread was also widening; the appeal of Jihad
ideology in the Netherlands had initially been concentrated
primarily in the southeast, in particular in Eindhoven in
Brabant province, but had since "migrated" east and north.


3. (C) Joustra said that both the Internet and radical
mosques had a role in radicalization. Regarding the
Internet, he said the number of radical sites, based in the
Netherlands and elsewhere, had increased significantly.
There was a need for more moderate sites, he said, and the
government was looking for mechanisms to support such sites.
Regarding radical mosques, he said the government monitored
the activities of several "problematic" mosques, including
one in the Hague. He added that there were four radical
imams in particular he would like to be able to "get rid of;"
however, as some had Dutch citizenship, deportation was not
an option. He did not further identify the imams. (NOTE.
The GONL deported three Eindhoven-based foreign imams in 2005
on the grounds that they advocated anti-Western violence and
were a threat to national security; ref C. END NOTE.)
Joustra noted that he was particularly concerned about
radical Islamists among the Bosnian community in the
Netherlands. He also expressed concern about the increasing
tendency for Islamist radicals to use Dutch to communicate
with young Dutch Muslims, many of whom do not speak Arabic.

Dutch Progress on CT
--------------


4. (C) Referring more broadly to Dutch efforts to establish
an effective counter terrorism organizational structure,
Joustra expressed satisfaction with progress to date. He
noted that the staff of the Office of the National Counter
Terrorism Coordinator (NCTB),which he heads, had been kept
intentionally small, at 100. A larger staff would require
"finding projects to keep them busy," he said, adding that he
was "not dissatisfied with NCTB's effectiveness." He stated
that in a relatively short period (i.e., since NCTB began
operations in January 2005),the Dutch had put in place a CT
structure that was on par with that of its EU partners.
Noting that the EU does not have an operational role in

THE HAGUE 00001378 002 OF 002


counter terrorism, he stated that bilateral contacts with
other EU member states were increasingly important. However,
some member states have not established an equivalent CT
Coordinator position.


5. (SBU) Joustra said he welcomed close cooperation with the
United States. He said his February 2006 visit to Washington
and New York had been very successful, and he expected to
build on that visit to deepen bilateral CT cooperation. He
said he had been particularly impressed with New York City's
initiatives to engage the private sector in the CT effort,
adding that he hoped to apply some of those ideas in the
Netherlands.

Terrorism Threat Progress Report
--------------


6. (SBU) Joustra's comments on radicalization tracked
closely with the conclusions of the fourth semi-annual
Terrorism Threat Progress report. The report, submitted to
Parliament June 7 by Justice Minister Donner and Interior
Minister Remkes, is drafted by NCTB. The report highlighted
the continuing rapid spread of Jihad ideologies through the
Internet, as well as the prominent role of the Netherlands in
Iraq and Afghanistan, as key factors in the threat situation
in the Netherlands. The report also warned that
"controversial debates" about Islam in the Netherlands could
lead to a deterioration in the threat situation. The report
also notes that some radical Islamic networks in the
Netherlands are increasing their international orientation.



7. (U) The report stated that ultra-orthodox and radical
Islamist movements, such as the Salafist movement, were
rapidly gaining influence in the Netherlands. The increasing
use of Dutch among Salafist radicals to reach non-Arabic
speaking Dutch Muslim youth, was flagged as a worrying
development. According to the report, Salfist groups are
trying to influence the idealogy, and even to "take over,"
some moderate mosques. Embassy contact Ayhan Tonca, chair of
the Contact Group for Muslims and Government (CMO),the
principal government advisor on Muslim issues, told the press
that he was surprised by the report's emphasis on Salafism.
He reportedly said that "Salafists are everywhere," including
the Netherlands, but it was his impression that the movement
had little support in the country. He said he had not seen
signs that any of the 350 mosques affiliated with the CMO had
been "taken over" by radical Muslims. The CMO claims to
represent 80% of the Muslim population in the Netherlands.


8. (U) On the positive side, the report stressed the
increasing preparedness by Muslim communities in the country
to combat radicalization and recruitment. Additionally, more
local governments -- beyond the four largest cities -- have
taken measures to counter radicalization and promote Muslim
integration. The report notes that the number of police
reports about individuals believed to be undergoing
radicalization has remained stable. It also noted that there
have been increasing reports of radicalization among members
of the defense forces, but noted that this could be due to
greater alertness to the issue, rather than to increased
radicalization.


9. (C) COMMENT. Joustra's comments on radicalization, and
the Threat Progress report, are consistent with concerns
raised by NCTB publicly and privately over the past six
months: the government remains seriously concerned by the
threat posed by Dutch Islamist radical groups, and focussed
on developing effective mechanisms to counter the threat.
END COMMENT
ARNALL