NETHERLANDS/NATO/GEORGIA: GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000822 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/RPM (E. SHINAGEL),EUR/UBI (E. FALLS); USNATO (T. UNDERWOOD) E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/12/2016 TAGS: NATO PREL MARR NL SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/NATO/GEORGIA: GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE -- AGREE ON SUBSTANCE REF: A. STATE 56334 ¶B. STATE 51994 ¶C. THE HAGUE 705 Classified By: Ambassador Roland Arnall, reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (C) Summary: The Dutch fully support the objectives of the U.S./UK "NATO Global Partnership" initiative but continue to express doubts regarding some of the details. They are concerned that a separate-track "Security Providers' Forum" could create a perception of "second-class citizens" within the alliance and would prefer to see both consumers and providers handled under a single umbrella with multiple sub-groupings. They also argue that regional cooperative fora should remain intact if the initiative is implemented, at least for now. The Dutch would join a consensus should one emerge on granting Georgia Intensified Dialogue (ID) at the upcoming NATO Foreign Ministerial in Sofia, but feel a serious discussion regarding NATO's future direction should precede further motion on membership questions in general. Polcouns discussed these issues with MFA Deputy Director General for Political Affairs Pieter de Gooijer April 12. De Gooijer noted that he plans to travel to the U.S. in early May following the Sofia Foreign Ministers' meeting. End summary. Global Partnership Initiative: Devil's in the Details -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) Per ref A, Polcouns and Polmiloff discussed the Global Partnership Initiative with de Gooijer, MFA Deputy Director of Security Policy Hans Horbach, and MFA Deputy Director of the NATO Division Eric Strating on April 12. De Gooijer said the Dutch support the initiative substantively, but have "minor" problems with "labels and terminology." The Dutch also envision a single pool of partnership tools from which interested countries could approach the alliance on an individual basis -- this "umbrella" approach with a "menu" of topics and subjects fits nicely with the U.S./UK proposed "26 N" consultations based on shared needs or interests, de Gooijer said. The Dutch concept was presented in their non-paper submitted during the NATO PermReps Brainstorming Session on March 31. ¶3. (C) De Gooijer said the Dutch view a "Security Providers Forum" in addition to the global outreach effort as potentially creating "first- and second-class partners" among countries interested in the initiative. He also said the Dutch question the criteria for security providers -- who makes the grade? Instead of a separate security provider element, the Dutch suggest that the Security Providers Forum could possibly exist as one of the "26 N" subject-driven consultations. For example, those countries contributing to NATO operations in Afghanistan will be the same countries that are more capable of providing security. At the very least, de Gooijer said, potential security providers should be consulted with further to determine what type of enhanced relationship they would like with NATO. ¶4. (C) Horbach and Strating also argued that regional cooperative fora like the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) and the Mediterranean Dialogue remain intact should the initiative be implemented. Per ref A, Polcouns and Polmiloff noted that the initiative does not call for the elimination of these fora. But issue-driven discussions and groups may be more effective in focusing discussion or participation rather than geography or existing formats alone. Horbach and Strating acknowledged that these regional cooperative fora may eventually be phased out, especially if the Global Partnership initiative proves to be a more effective way of doing business. But in the meantime, the Dutch would prefer to preserve them. Georgia: If It Must Be, It Must Be -------------- ¶5. (C) Drawing from ref B, Polcouns urged the Dutch to support beginning an Intensified Dialogue (ID) with Georgia at the earliest opportunity. De Gooijer acknowledged that Georgia is "haunting" the Netherlands in its efforts to obtain ID at the NATO Foreign Ministerial in Sofia. He said the Georgian President -- who frequently visits the Netherlands and has a Dutch wife -- planned to call Prime Minister Balkenende on April 12 to discuss the issue further. De Gooijer categorically denied that the Dutch are anti-Georgia or anti-enlargement. The Dutch have real interests in Georgia and are cooperating extensively on military reform -- the Dutch take these responsibilities seriously. If an Allied consensus emerges on granting Georgia ID at the ministerial in Sofia, de Gooijer said, then the Dutch will join it. ¶6. (C) While acknowledging positive steps taken, de Gooijer said Georgia has not made enough tangible implementation progress to "objectively" warrant the next step. He questioned why the Alliance should settle for less if Georgia has not made sufficient progress -- Allies should not "behave like lemmings" in the need to satisfy high-profile "deliverables" for upcoming summits. Watered-down criteria will result in consequences for the Alliance, he said, and pointed to enlargement problems as weakening the EU. ¶7. (C) Polcouns asked if de Gooijer had a vision for NATO in the next three years; de Gooijer replied that enlargement should not be the primary focus. He noted that, of course, the alliance should continue to engage on MAP and ID. But he added that the Riga summit is already being labeled the "summit of transition," and he has real concerns what NATO will transition to if the alliance spends more time on issues like ID and membership, and not addressing vital issues like Afghanistan and Darfur. Trip to the United States -------------- ¶8. (C) De Gooijer plans to visit Washington at the end of April/beginning of May. While his travel dates have not yet been confirmed, he expressed interest in meeting with U/S for Political Affairs Burns. Post supports this request; de Gooijer will succeed Hugo Siblesz as the Dutch MFA Director General for Political Affairs this summer and will play a key role in influencing Dutch NATO policy. ARNALL