Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06THEHAGUE1647
2006-07-28 15:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
NETHERLANDS/AFGHANISTAN: DUTCH REMAIN COMMITTED
how-toVZCZCXYZ0003 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHTC #1647 2091524 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 281524Z JUL 06 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6409 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 2624 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0186 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 001647
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/RPM, EUR/UBI, SA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2016
TAGS: MARR PREL NATO AF NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/AFGHANISTAN: DUTCH REMAIN COMMITTED
DESPITE FIRST CASUALTIES
Classified By: CDA Chat Blakeman, reasons 1.4 (b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 001647
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/RPM, EUR/UBI, SA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2016
TAGS: MARR PREL NATO AF NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/AFGHANISTAN: DUTCH REMAIN COMMITTED
DESPITE FIRST CASUALTIES
Classified By: CDA Chat Blakeman, reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) Summary: The Dutch commitment to its ISAF-III Uruzgan
deployment is not wavering in the face of initial casualties.
On July 26, two Dutch officers died in a helicopter crash in
eastern Afghanistan (which also took U.S. and other lives).
Defense Minister Henk Kamp issued a public statement on July
27 stressing Dutch commitment to stay the course even though
the "important task" of the Dutch mission carries "great
risk." MFA officials echoed Kamp's statement. Public
reaction has been muted; Parliament has requested an
investigation into the cause of the crash, but so far there
have been no calls to suspend the mission. End summary.
MOD: Mission an "Important Task" With Risk
--------------
2. (C) Defense Minister Kamp made a brief statement July 27
to the press, noting his first thoughts were of the family
and friends of the two Dutch soldiers. He said the accident
was a "blow" to the colleagues of the deceased. Kamp
indicated that the Dutch would stay the course regarding
their deployment. The Dutch military, along with other
partner militaries, he said, are working to improve the
future of the people of Afghanistan -- "this is an important
task that carries great risk. These fallen soldiers know
that they have earned our respect for their sacrifice."
Uniformed members of the Dutch armed forces expressed similar
sentiments to members of USDAO The Hague.
MFA: GONL Committed Despite Casualties
--------------
3. (C) MFA Acting Director for Security Affairs Joop Nijssen
told polmiloff July 28 that the GONL will stand firm despite
these first casualties. Nijssen said the Dutch expect
further losses; they knew this when they agreed to undertake
the mission.
Parliament Demands an Investigation
--------------
4. (C) Response to the crash has been relatively muted thus
far, although members of parliament have requested an
investigation regarding the cause of the accident. Members
also echoed questions posed by the AFMP/FNV (largest Dutch
military labor union) why Dutch soldiers were flying aboard
civil and not military helicopters. To date, no
parliamentarian has requested the mission be suspended due to
the accident.
BLAKEMAN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/RPM, EUR/UBI, SA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2016
TAGS: MARR PREL NATO AF NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/AFGHANISTAN: DUTCH REMAIN COMMITTED
DESPITE FIRST CASUALTIES
Classified By: CDA Chat Blakeman, reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) Summary: The Dutch commitment to its ISAF-III Uruzgan
deployment is not wavering in the face of initial casualties.
On July 26, two Dutch officers died in a helicopter crash in
eastern Afghanistan (which also took U.S. and other lives).
Defense Minister Henk Kamp issued a public statement on July
27 stressing Dutch commitment to stay the course even though
the "important task" of the Dutch mission carries "great
risk." MFA officials echoed Kamp's statement. Public
reaction has been muted; Parliament has requested an
investigation into the cause of the crash, but so far there
have been no calls to suspend the mission. End summary.
MOD: Mission an "Important Task" With Risk
--------------
2. (C) Defense Minister Kamp made a brief statement July 27
to the press, noting his first thoughts were of the family
and friends of the two Dutch soldiers. He said the accident
was a "blow" to the colleagues of the deceased. Kamp
indicated that the Dutch would stay the course regarding
their deployment. The Dutch military, along with other
partner militaries, he said, are working to improve the
future of the people of Afghanistan -- "this is an important
task that carries great risk. These fallen soldiers know
that they have earned our respect for their sacrifice."
Uniformed members of the Dutch armed forces expressed similar
sentiments to members of USDAO The Hague.
MFA: GONL Committed Despite Casualties
--------------
3. (C) MFA Acting Director for Security Affairs Joop Nijssen
told polmiloff July 28 that the GONL will stand firm despite
these first casualties. Nijssen said the Dutch expect
further losses; they knew this when they agreed to undertake
the mission.
Parliament Demands an Investigation
--------------
4. (C) Response to the crash has been relatively muted thus
far, although members of parliament have requested an
investigation regarding the cause of the accident. Members
also echoed questions posed by the AFMP/FNV (largest Dutch
military labor union) why Dutch soldiers were flying aboard
civil and not military helicopters. To date, no
parliamentarian has requested the mission be suspended due to
the accident.
BLAKEMAN