NETHERLANDS/SYRIA/LEBANON: RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON

S E C R E T THE HAGUE 002262 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA, EUR/UBI E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KDEM MOPS NL SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/SYRIA/LEBANON: RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON PRESERVING SINIORA GOVERNMENT REF: STATE 172274 Classified By: Ambassador Roland Arnall, reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (S) Ambassador Arnall discussed reftel points with MFA Head of Middle Eastern Affairs Henriette van Lynden-Leijten on October 17. Van Lynden-Leijten said she had heard "similar echoes" from the Dutch embassy in Damascus, especially regarding the fragility of the Siniora government and Syrian government meddling. She added, however, that any influence the Dutch currently have with Syria is clouded by a contentious custody case involving two Dutch-Syrian children encamped at the Dutch embassy in Damascus for the past 100 days. Van Lynden-Leijten said Dutch FM Bot met with his Syrian counterpart on the margins of the UNGA to discuss Syrian intentions in Lebanon, but was unable to get past the child custody case. She said the Syrians must prove they are serious regarding peace prospects by demonstrating "strong, positive signals" -- which certainly appears lacking given reftel points. ARNALL