NETHERLANDS/LEBANON: DUTCH MFA SKEPTICAL OF EU

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 001701 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL IS LE NL SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/LEBANON: DUTCH MFA SKEPTICAL OF EU BORDER MISSION IDEA REF: SECSTATE 128335 Classified By: Counselor for Political Affairs Andrew Schofer for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: On September 17, 2007, POLOFF delivered reftel points Syria/Lebanon Desk Officer Peter van der Bloemen. Staff in the MFA Departments of Middle East and Security Affairs do not support the Lebanon border monitoring mission at this time, without a clear exit strategy and without guarantees of Syrian support. The EU is divided on the mission. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) Van der Bloemen indicated first that the MFA was skeptical of the monitoring mission for practical reasons. The Dutch are waiting to hear more about the mission's mandate, time frame and purpose. The Dutch have seen other monitoring missions endure in the absence of a clear exit strategy. Adding a training element to the mission, so that the benefits continue beyond the conclusion of the mission, might help. Other useful elements for a monitoring mission plan might include reactivating the border committee, demarcating the border and resolving Shebaa farms. ¶3. (C) Van der Bloemen was most concerned that a border monitoring mission might shift blame from Syria to the EU for controlling the border. The EU would need to make clear statements to Syria on expectations. The Netherlands' top priority is disarming Hezbollah. ¶4. (C) The September 18 presentation in Brussels by EU Special Representative Otte may resolve some Dutch concerns. The MFA will confer after the presentation to present the issue to FM Verhagen. ¶5. (C) Van der Bloemen said the EU was divided about evenly on the border monitoring mission. Some southern countries support it; about thirteen states think it's "worth a try." Arnall