Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07THEHAGUE330
2007-02-22 16:04:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
NETHERLANDS: INITIAL RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON
how-toVZCZCXYZ0002 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHTC #0330 0531604 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 221604Z FEB 07 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8278 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHHE/AMEMBASSY HELSINKI PRIORITY 1866 RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KYIV PRIORITY 0440 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY 1708 RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM PRIORITY 4669 RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000330
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR A/S FRIED, VCI A/S DESUTTER, ISN A/S ROOD
NSC FOR STEPHENS AND ANSLEY
OSD/P FOR GREEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/22/2017
TAGS: EZ MARR PL PREL RS NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: INITIAL RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON
RUSSIAN THREATS AGAINST MISSILE DEFENSE
REF: STATE 21640
Classified By: CDA Chat Blakeman, reasons 1.4 (b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000330
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR A/S FRIED, VCI A/S DESUTTER, ISN A/S ROOD
NSC FOR STEPHENS AND ANSLEY
OSD/P FOR GREEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/22/2017
TAGS: EZ MARR PL PREL RS NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: INITIAL RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON
RUSSIAN THREATS AGAINST MISSILE DEFENSE
REF: STATE 21640
Classified By: CDA Chat Blakeman, reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) Summary: Post delivered reftel points to MFA working
level contacts on February 22; we will engage at higher
levels as soon as possible, but this may take several days as
the new government was sworn in today. In the meantime, the
initial response from the MFA working level suggests the
Dutch oppose recent "inflammatory rhetoric" from Moscow
concerning missile defense in Poland and the Czech Republic,
and will focus efforts at the NATO-Russia Council to push
back on Russian rhetoric. They view recent Russian behavior
-- including Russian President Putin's speech in Munich -- as
a "cry for attention," which may require even greater
transparency from the United States and NATO. MFA Special
Advisor for Security Affairs Anthony van der Togt discussed
these issues on February 22. End summary.
Oppose Rhetoric, Albeit Tacitly
--------------
2. (C) Van der Togt is the MFA's Special Advisor for the
OSCE, but is a Russia expert and currently the point person
on assessing Russian President Putin's speech in Munich. He
said the GONL opposes the "inflammatory rhetoric" coming out
of Moscow, but explained the Dutch are currently constrained
from making any public statements while undergoing their
governmental coalition transition. He said the GONL was
currently drafting points for its delegation to NATO for use
in the NATO Russia Council (NRC) to push back on recent
Russian public statements.
3. (C) Van der Togt appreciated reftel points and information
regarding continued U.S consultations with Russia on our
missile defense policy, and noted that NSA Stephen Hadley had
made similar comments in Brussels. Van der Togt said German
Foreign Minister Steinmeier will soon be paying new Dutch
Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen a visit in The Hague, and
Russian belligerence will be on the agenda -- information of
U.S. consultations with Russia on missile defense will no
doubt prove helpful, van der Togt said.
Cry For Attention
--------------
4. (C) Van der Togt said Putin's speech at Munich and recent
Russian threats suggest Moscow is frustrated that "things are
not going its way" and the age-old Russian paranoia only
feeds the perception in Moscow that "something is being
cooked up behind the scenes." Van der Togt agreed that much
of the rhetoric was aimed at Russian domestic consumption,
especially as Putin works to place his successors in power.
Van der Togt also argued that Moscow's recent bad behavior
reflects a desire to force further negotiations, both
bilaterally with the U.S. and with NATO, to amplify Russia's
relevance.
Need for Greater Transparency
--------------
5. (C) While Van der Togt appreciated reftel points, he
suggested even greater transparency -- if possible -- may be
necessary. He said Putin's speech reflects a Russia that for
whatever reason "feels neglected and mistreated." Van der
Togt pointed to historical Russian complexes on encirclement
and the added importance of the NRC, which has not lived up
to its potential. He said that the Netherlands, along with
other allies, has stressed repeatedly that a NATO on Russia's
borders poses no threat and actually improves Russian
security -- but that message clearly is not sinking in.
BLAKEMAN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR A/S FRIED, VCI A/S DESUTTER, ISN A/S ROOD
NSC FOR STEPHENS AND ANSLEY
OSD/P FOR GREEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/22/2017
TAGS: EZ MARR PL PREL RS NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: INITIAL RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON
RUSSIAN THREATS AGAINST MISSILE DEFENSE
REF: STATE 21640
Classified By: CDA Chat Blakeman, reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) Summary: Post delivered reftel points to MFA working
level contacts on February 22; we will engage at higher
levels as soon as possible, but this may take several days as
the new government was sworn in today. In the meantime, the
initial response from the MFA working level suggests the
Dutch oppose recent "inflammatory rhetoric" from Moscow
concerning missile defense in Poland and the Czech Republic,
and will focus efforts at the NATO-Russia Council to push
back on Russian rhetoric. They view recent Russian behavior
-- including Russian President Putin's speech in Munich -- as
a "cry for attention," which may require even greater
transparency from the United States and NATO. MFA Special
Advisor for Security Affairs Anthony van der Togt discussed
these issues on February 22. End summary.
Oppose Rhetoric, Albeit Tacitly
--------------
2. (C) Van der Togt is the MFA's Special Advisor for the
OSCE, but is a Russia expert and currently the point person
on assessing Russian President Putin's speech in Munich. He
said the GONL opposes the "inflammatory rhetoric" coming out
of Moscow, but explained the Dutch are currently constrained
from making any public statements while undergoing their
governmental coalition transition. He said the GONL was
currently drafting points for its delegation to NATO for use
in the NATO Russia Council (NRC) to push back on recent
Russian public statements.
3. (C) Van der Togt appreciated reftel points and information
regarding continued U.S consultations with Russia on our
missile defense policy, and noted that NSA Stephen Hadley had
made similar comments in Brussels. Van der Togt said German
Foreign Minister Steinmeier will soon be paying new Dutch
Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen a visit in The Hague, and
Russian belligerence will be on the agenda -- information of
U.S. consultations with Russia on missile defense will no
doubt prove helpful, van der Togt said.
Cry For Attention
--------------
4. (C) Van der Togt said Putin's speech at Munich and recent
Russian threats suggest Moscow is frustrated that "things are
not going its way" and the age-old Russian paranoia only
feeds the perception in Moscow that "something is being
cooked up behind the scenes." Van der Togt agreed that much
of the rhetoric was aimed at Russian domestic consumption,
especially as Putin works to place his successors in power.
Van der Togt also argued that Moscow's recent bad behavior
reflects a desire to force further negotiations, both
bilaterally with the U.S. and with NATO, to amplify Russia's
relevance.
Need for Greater Transparency
--------------
5. (C) While Van der Togt appreciated reftel points, he
suggested even greater transparency -- if possible -- may be
necessary. He said Putin's speech reflects a Russia that for
whatever reason "feels neglected and mistreated." Van der
Togt pointed to historical Russian complexes on encirclement
and the added importance of the NRC, which has not lived up
to its potential. He said that the Netherlands, along with
other allies, has stressed repeatedly that a NATO on Russia's
borders poses no threat and actually improves Russian
security -- but that message clearly is not sinking in.
BLAKEMAN