NETHERLANDS/CD: VIEWS ON COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 001978 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KDEM PHUM PREL UNGA NL SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/CD: VIEWS ON COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES MINISTERIAL REF: A. SECSTATE 151024 ¶B. THE HAGUE 1800 ¶1. (U) POLOFF delivered reftel points to Ruth Emmerink, Senior Policy Officer in the Department of Human Rights and Peacebuilding at the Dutch MFA. Due to obligations before parliament, Development Minister Koenders is unlikely to lead the Dutch delegation to Bamako. Instead, Ms. Emmerink and Dr. A. Jacobi, Director of the Department of Human Rights and Peacebuilding, are likely to represent the Netherlands. ¶2. (U) The Dutch generally support the current draft ministerial declaration as well as the USG desire for a "forward leaning" document. The Dutch are concerned about references to any financing mechanisms and want further understanding of how the CD relates to other international institutions. For example, the Dutch see a "gap" in the policy outlines for the UN Democracy Fund. In addition, the Dutch support the creation of a CD Secretariat but do not expect to contribute funds. During the miisterial, the Dutch will give special attention to the link between development and democracy, a priority issue for Minister Koenders. The Dutch have not received an official copy of the draft declaration and so have not forwarded comments to Mali. Arnall