Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07THEHAGUE2018
2007-11-28 10:43:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:  

NETHERLANDS/OSCE: MADRID MINISTERIAL, MD/CFE PROPOSALS

Tags:  PREK PGOV PHUM NL OSCE 
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VZCZCXYZ0040
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTC #2018/01 3321043
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 281043Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0747
INFO RUCNOSC/OSCE POST COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 002018 

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/WE, EUR/RPM

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/27/2017
TAGS: POSCE PREK PGOV PHUM NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/OSCE: MADRID MINISTERIAL, MD/CFE
PROPOSALS

REF: A. STATE 157672


B. STATE 159773

Classified By: Political Counselor Andrew Schofer, reasons 1.4 (b,d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 002018

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/WE, EUR/RPM

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/27/2017
TAGS: POSCE PREK PGOV PHUM NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/OSCE: MADRID MINISTERIAL, MD/CFE
PROPOSALS

REF: A. STATE 157672


B. STATE 159773

Classified By: Political Counselor Andrew Schofer, reasons 1.4 (b,d)


1. (C//NOFORN) Summary: The GONL does not "expect much" from
the upcoming OSCE Madrid ministerial, given too many issues
pitting Russia against Europe and the United States, such as
Kosovo, the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty,
and missile defense. MFA OSCE Special Advisor Tony van der
Togt said the GONL was highly skeptical that the proposed
Steinmeier-Moratinos CFE brainstorming session prior to the
ministerial would achieve its desired outcome. Likewise, van
der Togt was skeptical of any CFE-related breakthroughs at
the ministerial, and noted that the anticipated Russian
moratorium on CFE actions would "not be the end of the world"
-- that type of outlook only re-inforces Russia's position at
the ministerial. He said it was perhaps more important to
engage with Russia following Madrid, and continue to push for
a resolution on the Istanbul Commitments and the Adapted CFE
Treaty. With the exception of a possible deal on the
rotating chairmanship, van der Togt was not confident the
ministerial would achieve much in terms of substance or
deliverables. Van der Togt discussed these issues with
polmiloff on November 26. End summary.

Central Asia and Afghanistan
--------------


2. (C) Van der Togt agreed with Ref A points pertaining to
Central Asia, especially regarding the importance of
strengthening customs and border security in the effort to
increase stability in Afghanistan. He agreed that Russian
efforts to undermine the role of ODIHR negatively affect OSCE
efforts in Central Asia. While van der Togt supported our
efforts to broaden the OSCE-Afghanistan/Central Asia
relationship, he emphasized that any focused projects or
training take place in Central Asia and not in Afghanistan.

Balkans
--------------


3. (C) Van der Togt agreed that continuing the OSCE mission
in Kosovo was a top priority, but expressed concern over
Russian and Serbian statements threatening to close the
mission in the event of a unilateral declaration of

independence by Kosovo. Van der Togt agreed that other
missions could be reduced in scope, but stressed that the
GONL believes the mission in Croatia should at least remain
open -- albeit substantially downsized -- to support local
refugee and war criminal tribunals.

CFE
---


4. (C//NOFORN) Van der Togt said the GONL was highly
skeptical that the proposed Steinmeier-Moratinos CFE
brainstorming session would achieve its desired outcome --
"it is too late for any last second solutions," especially
among 30 different representatives, van der Togt said. He
added, however, that "keeping dialogue open" was important,
and that the Dutch would participate in the CFE pre-meeting
provided NATO Allies meet first to pre-coordinate. Likewise,
van der Togt was skeptical of any CFE-related breakthroughs
at the ministerial, and noted that the anticipated Russian
moratorium on CFE actions would "not be the end of the world"
-- that type of outlook only re-inforces Russia's position at
the ministerial. He said it was perhaps more important to
engage with Russia following Madrid, and continue to push for
a resolution on the Istanbul Commitments and the Adapted CFE
Treaty. Given CFE difficulties, van der Togt noted that a
ministerial statement simply "for the sake of having one" did
not make much sense -- a statement should be based on
substance, and van der Togt doubted any meaningful statement
was possible given expected Russian opposition.

Russian Proposals
--------------


5. (C//NOFORN) Van der Togt said the GONL was very concerned
about Russia's proposed OSCE reforms, including especially
ODIHR's election monitoring practices. He noted the EU
counterproposal essentially challenges Russia's attempt to
place ODIHR under the Permanent Council, and described
Spain's attempts to reach a compromise between the two as
"failing," especially as the latest Spanish rework gives
Moscow "far too much authority over ODIHR." Van der Togt
said the GONL was alarmed by the other Russian proposal to
regulate the participation of NGOs in OSCE meetings, but


curious why Moscow had agreed to delay consideration of the
proposal until after the ministerial. Van der Togt wondered
if Spain had agreed to be lenient on the ODIHR proposal
provided Moscow agreed to delay consideration on the NGO
proposal -- "how else to explain Spain's latest and very poor
attempt at bridging the gap between the EU and Russia on
ODIHR," he speculated.


6. (C//NOFORN) Van der Togt described the timing of the OSCE
decision not to send observers for the upcoming Russian
parliamentary elections as "ill-advised." No matter what the
truth may be, van der Togt said ODIHR Director Strohal's
announcement canceling the mission shortly after his return
from Washington can only help Putin and fuel Russian
conspiracy theories. Van der Togt admitted that "hindsight
is 20-20," but if the mission were to be canceled, it should
have been done much earlier or later following the Washington
visit. At this point, van der Togt said, ODIHR needs to
avoid further distraction on the Russian parliamentary
elections and focus on the presidential elections next year.


7. (C) Finally, van der Togt said the Dutch do not believe
the OSCE requires a charter to address functioning or the
principles of the organization. But they are willing to
discuss the charter in exchange for Russian agreement on the
convention regarding privileges and immunities. Van der Togt
stressed that the Dutch in no way support the current Russian
draft charter; "it clearly need substantial revision."
Without at least a "pro-forma" discussion on the charter,
however, van der Togt doubted Russia would agree to the
convention on privileges and immunities.

OSCE Chairmanship
--------------


8. (C) Van der Togt noted that with the many issues --
Kosovo, CFE, missile defense -- currently dividing Russia,
Europe, and the United States, the upcoming OSCE chairmanship
rotation appears to be the only one that might be resolved at
Madrid. He expected Kazakhstan to take Spain's "face-saving"
deal and accept the chairmanship in 2010 or 2011. Van der
Togt was curious if the USG, along with the UK, would join
consensus -- "should one emerge" -- on granting the
chairmanship to Kazakhstan for a date later than its stated
goal of chairing the OSCE in 2009.

CFE, MD Updates
--------------


9. (SBU) Polmiloff passed Ref B points to van der Togt
regarding latest USG proposals to Russia on Missile Defense
(MD) and the CFE Treaty. Van der Togt appreciated the
points, noting the GONL will review them and return with any
questions. He also heard from the Dutch embassy in
Washington that A/S Fried and U/S Rood would brief NATO
Allies November 27 on MD; van der Togt said the briefing will
be attended by Dutch embassy officials.
Arnall