Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06THEHAGUE2543
2006-12-04 12:17:00
SECRET
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
NETHERLANDS/LEBANON: DUTCH SUPPORT ENGAGING WITH
how-toVZCZCXYZ0006 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHTC #2543 3381217 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 041217Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7582 INFO RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY 0199 RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS PRIORITY 0298 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 4203 RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 0191 RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 0081 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1690 RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 0336 RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH 0397
S E C R E T THE HAGUE 002543
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2026
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KDEM MOPS LE SY NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/LEBANON: DUTCH SUPPORT ENGAGING WITH
RESPONSIBLE SYRIA
REF: STATE 193090
Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROLAND E. ARNALL FOR REASONS 1.4(B,D)
S E C R E T THE HAGUE 002543
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2026
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KDEM MOPS LE SY NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/LEBANON: DUTCH SUPPORT ENGAGING WITH
RESPONSIBLE SYRIA
REF: STATE 193090
Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROLAND E. ARNALL FOR REASONS 1.4(B,D)
1. (S) SUMMARY: The Dutch will continue to press Syria to
become a more responsible actor and believe the international
community should hold Damascus strictly accountable for its
actions. The international community, however, should also
be prepared to engage positively with Syria if/when it acts
responsibly. Dutch Foreign Minister made these points in
discussion with Ambassador Arnall on November 30. END
SUMMARY.
2. (S) Ambassador Arnall delivered reftel points on
supporting the Lebanese government in face of
Syrian-sponsored provocation to Dutch Foreign Minister Ben
Bot and MFA Political Director Pieter de Gooijer on November
30. In delivering the demarche, Ambassador Arnall stressed
that the international community could not ignore Syria's
continuing interference in Lebanese politics, support for
terrorist groups, and defiance of explicit UN Security
Council requirements. He asked the Dutch to use their
channels to ensure Damascus received a clear message of
international solidarity on these points.
3. (S) In response, Bot noted that he had expressed Dutch
concerns directly to Syrian Foreign Minister al-Moallem on
the margins of the November EUROMED meeting in Tampere. Bot
stressed that the Syrian government must not be allowed to
think it can act with impunity; for example, those
responsible for planning and carrying out assassinations
against Lebanese figures must be held strictly accountable.
The Dutch would continue to make these points publicly and in
private channels. On the other hand, he said, Syria is "not
going anywhere," so at some point a way must be found to make
Syria "part of the solution" to the Middle East's problems.
4. (S) According to Bot, al-Moallem complained that U.S.-led
efforts to isolate Damascus failed to recognize Syria's
attempts to act responsibly. As an example, Al-Moallem cited
his recent two-day visit to Baghdad to help stabilize the
situation there. As it is not in Syria's interest to promote
instability and violence in neighboring countries, he added,
there should be room to engage with Syria on that basis.
Ambassador Arnall noted that Syria must be judged on its
actions, which to date did not provide grounds for optimism.
Bot agreed that Syria must be held accountable for its
actions, but reiterated that we should also be open to
responding positively if and when Syria chose to act more
responsibly.
ARNALL
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2026
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER KDEM MOPS LE SY NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/LEBANON: DUTCH SUPPORT ENGAGING WITH
RESPONSIBLE SYRIA
REF: STATE 193090
Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROLAND E. ARNALL FOR REASONS 1.4(B,D)
1. (S) SUMMARY: The Dutch will continue to press Syria to
become a more responsible actor and believe the international
community should hold Damascus strictly accountable for its
actions. The international community, however, should also
be prepared to engage positively with Syria if/when it acts
responsibly. Dutch Foreign Minister made these points in
discussion with Ambassador Arnall on November 30. END
SUMMARY.
2. (S) Ambassador Arnall delivered reftel points on
supporting the Lebanese government in face of
Syrian-sponsored provocation to Dutch Foreign Minister Ben
Bot and MFA Political Director Pieter de Gooijer on November
30. In delivering the demarche, Ambassador Arnall stressed
that the international community could not ignore Syria's
continuing interference in Lebanese politics, support for
terrorist groups, and defiance of explicit UN Security
Council requirements. He asked the Dutch to use their
channels to ensure Damascus received a clear message of
international solidarity on these points.
3. (S) In response, Bot noted that he had expressed Dutch
concerns directly to Syrian Foreign Minister al-Moallem on
the margins of the November EUROMED meeting in Tampere. Bot
stressed that the Syrian government must not be allowed to
think it can act with impunity; for example, those
responsible for planning and carrying out assassinations
against Lebanese figures must be held strictly accountable.
The Dutch would continue to make these points publicly and in
private channels. On the other hand, he said, Syria is "not
going anywhere," so at some point a way must be found to make
Syria "part of the solution" to the Middle East's problems.
4. (S) According to Bot, al-Moallem complained that U.S.-led
efforts to isolate Damascus failed to recognize Syria's
attempts to act responsibly. As an example, Al-Moallem cited
his recent two-day visit to Baghdad to help stabilize the
situation there. As it is not in Syria's interest to promote
instability and violence in neighboring countries, he added,
there should be room to engage with Syria on that basis.
Ambassador Arnall noted that Syria must be judged on its
actions, which to date did not provide grounds for optimism.
Bot agreed that Syria must be held accountable for its
actions, but reiterated that we should also be open to
responding positively if and when Syria chose to act more
responsibly.
ARNALL