Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07STATE149873
2007-10-29 14:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:
NETHERLANDS: PROGRESS ON STATUS OF FORCES
how-toVZCZCXRO1980 PP RUEHAO DE RUEHC #9873 3021439 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P R 291422Z OCT 07 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE PRIORITY 0231 INFO RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 6691 RUEHAO/AMCONSUL CURACAO 2228 RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS STATE 149873
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PARM MARR MASS MOPS NL XL NT
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: PROGRESS ON STATUS OF FORCES
AGREEMENT (SOFA)
REF: A. THE HAGUE 1220
B. STATE 85118
UNCLAS STATE 149873
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PARM MARR MASS MOPS NL XL NT
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: PROGRESS ON STATUS OF FORCES
AGREEMENT (SOFA)
REF: A. THE HAGUE 1220
B. STATE 85118
1. This is an action request -- see paragraphs 4 and 5.
2. Ref A reported delivery to the MFA Legal Department of a
new draft text for a long-term SOFA provided by Ref B. The
USG is seeking a long-term SOFA with the Netherlands that
would cover U.S. forces present in the Netherlands Antilles
and Aruba for military training and exercises, and other
mutually agreed activities (unrelated to counter-narcotics
flights). Concluding this SOFA remains a priority for the
USG.
3. Currently, U.S. forces present in the Netherlands Antilles
and Aruba for military training and exercises are provided
minimum protections under an extension of a SOFA that was
concluded through an exchange of notes in May 2005. The
exchange of notes was intended to serve as a short-term
solution in order to afford the Government of the Netherlands
time to review the long-term SOFA text delivered to them by
the Embassy in March 2005. Although the SOFA extension does
not expire until May 2008, we would like to conclude a new
agreement as soon as possible to avoid resorting to another
less-desirable temporary solution in 2008.
4. Post is requested to raise the pending long-term SOFA with
GON officials, making the following points:
-- We are concerned by the lack of progress made on a
long-term SOFA in the last two years, and we would like to
conclude a new agreement to avoid another -- and possibly
repeated -- extensions of the existing SOFA.
-- We respectfully request that the GON expedite the delivery
of its formal comments to the USG.
-- If useful, we would like to offer a visit or video
teleconference with a team of U.S. experts to answer any
questions on the proposed text.
5. Post is requested to report by cable the result of these
discussions. Thank you in advance for your efforts.
RICE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PARM MARR MASS MOPS NL XL NT
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: PROGRESS ON STATUS OF FORCES
AGREEMENT (SOFA)
REF: A. THE HAGUE 1220
B. STATE 85118
1. This is an action request -- see paragraphs 4 and 5.
2. Ref A reported delivery to the MFA Legal Department of a
new draft text for a long-term SOFA provided by Ref B. The
USG is seeking a long-term SOFA with the Netherlands that
would cover U.S. forces present in the Netherlands Antilles
and Aruba for military training and exercises, and other
mutually agreed activities (unrelated to counter-narcotics
flights). Concluding this SOFA remains a priority for the
USG.
3. Currently, U.S. forces present in the Netherlands Antilles
and Aruba for military training and exercises are provided
minimum protections under an extension of a SOFA that was
concluded through an exchange of notes in May 2005. The
exchange of notes was intended to serve as a short-term
solution in order to afford the Government of the Netherlands
time to review the long-term SOFA text delivered to them by
the Embassy in March 2005. Although the SOFA extension does
not expire until May 2008, we would like to conclude a new
agreement as soon as possible to avoid resorting to another
less-desirable temporary solution in 2008.
4. Post is requested to raise the pending long-term SOFA with
GON officials, making the following points:
-- We are concerned by the lack of progress made on a
long-term SOFA in the last two years, and we would like to
conclude a new agreement to avoid another -- and possibly
repeated -- extensions of the existing SOFA.
-- We respectfully request that the GON expedite the delivery
of its formal comments to the USG.
-- If useful, we would like to offer a visit or video
teleconference with a team of U.S. experts to answer any
questions on the proposed text.
5. Post is requested to report by cable the result of these
discussions. Thank you in advance for your efforts.
RICE