(C/NF) NETHERLANDS/UNSC/VENEZUELA/GUATEMALA: DUTCH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 001681

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/FO (CSHAPIRO),EUR/PGI (JELDRIDGE),IO/UNP
(BHARRIS)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2016
TAGS: PREL UN UNSC GT VE NL
SUBJECT: (C/NF) NETHERLANDS/UNSC/VENEZUELA/GUATEMALA: DUTCH
WEIGHING UNSC VOTE

REF: A. A) STATE 111590


B. B) THE HAGUE 642

C. C) CARACAS 2238

Classified By: Political Counselor Andrew J. Schofer; reasons 1.4 (b) a
nd (d).


1. (C/NF) Summary: Foreign Minister Bot has ordered the MFA
to review its earlier decision to support Guatemala over
Venezuela for the GRULAC candidacy for a UNSC seat. A senior
MFA official told us privately that the Dutch will probably
"do the wise thing" and vote for Guatemala, but would not
rule out the possibility of a pro-Venezuela vote. He
stressed that the Dutch would not be in a position to lobby
on Guatemala's behalf in any case. In the absence of an EU
consensus, concerns about Guatemala's Human Rights record and
sensitive Dutch-Venezuelan relations appear to be influencing
the Foreign Minister's thinking more than usual. A strong
push within the EU to support Guatemala over Venezuela could
help shift the Dutch back to a more favorable position. We
will continue to press the issue here. End summary.

Background: Prior Dutch assurances of support for Guatemala
-------------- --------------


2. (C/NF) We began approaching the Dutch on this in early
February. On March 15, then-Director of the MFA's Western
Hemisphere Department, Marion Kappeyne van de Coppello, told
WHA PDAS Charles Shapiro that, while the GONL was not
disposed to lobby for Guatemala, the decision to vote for
Guatemala had been made. Others in MFA confirmed this.


3. (C/NF) On July 24, MFA Kingdom Affairs Advisor Karel de
Vey Mestdagh -- who works closely on Venezuela policy --
confirmed in response to ref A request that the GONL would
not lobby on behalf of Guatemala in Asia and Africa because
of the "sensitive" nature of Dutch-Venezuelan relations. At
the same meeting, Central America Division Head Laetitia van
Asch-Pieters noted that Guatemala's human rights and
governance records remained troublesome and that a vote for
Guatemala was by no means "obvious."

Confirmation of a review: Decision still pending
-------------- ---


4. (C/NF) In a follow up meeting with Charge on July 31,
Dutch MFA Acting Director General for Political Affairs (P
equivalent) Wim Geerts reiterated that the Netherlands would
not lobby on behalf of either Guatemala or Venezuela. He
confirmed that Bot had ordered a review of the Dutch voting
position after returning from a recent trip to Venezuela.
Geert stressed that a policy recommendation had been sent to
Bot, but that Bot would make the final decision personally.


5. (C/NF) Pressed, Geerts said he believed Bot would "do the
wise thing," clearly indicating he believed this meant voting
for Guatemala. He stressed, however, that Bot clearly wanted
to weigh the pros and cons of a vote in light of the
sensitive nature of Dutch-Venezuelan relations. Whatever the
Foreign Minister decided, according to Geerts, the Dutch
would not broadcast their decision in a way that could cause
offense. Geerts indicated that he believed other European
countries were making similar, individual calculations and
did not expect a European consensus to emerge. Charge and
PolCouns stressed the importance we attach to this issue and
urged a pro-Guatemala vote.

Comment:
--------------


6. (C/NF) Comment: Despite earlier indications to the
contrary, Geerts' comments make clear that there is no
European consensus on supporting Guatemala. In the case of
the Netherlands, the lack of such a consensus complicates our
efforts to secure Dutch support. We will continue to press
the issue here and would appreciate periodic updates on the

THE HAGUE 00001681 002 OF 002


evolving vote count.
BLAKEMAN