NETHERLANDS/EU: PRE-GAERC DEMARCHE

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000748 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2017 TAGS: EUN ETRD KPAL PREL XG IS IR AF NL SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/EU: PRE-GAERC DEMARCHE REF: STATE 51262 Classified By: CDA Chat Blakeman; reasons 1.4 (b and d). ¶1. (C) Summary: The GONL remains concerned about linkages in UNSCR 1747 between goods and financing but will work with the FATF to reach practical solutions. They are eager to sign Open Skies Plus, are concerned that proposals for the U.S.-EU summit might be insufficiently ambitious or concrete, and hope to insert human rights language on the fight against terror into a summit statement. The GONL is exploring sanctions, should they be needed, to further pressure Sudan. The Dutch oppose SADC calls to lift sanctions on Zimbabwe, and they believe consensus exists within the EU on this. The Dutch do not expect much discussion on other issues. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) MFA Deputy Director for European Integration Marisa Gerards told poloff April 19 the MFA expected two issues to dominate the GAERC's economic agenda: a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council and the U.S.-EU trade agenda (specifically the upcoming U.S.-EU summit). On the GCC trade agreement, she said, the Netherlands is ready to agree to GCC demands that a political dialogue, including human rights, follow rather than precede a trade agreement. Transatlantic Relations/U.S.-EU Summit -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Gerards said the Netherlands is pushing for a political statement at the U.S.-EU Summit. The statement would cover a range of human rights issues and would call for a "strengthening of human rights in the fight against terrorism." She noted that the Netherlands did not wish to discuss missile defense in an EU context but felt, rather, that NATO is the appropriate forum. ¶4. (C) Tjerk Opmeer, Senior Trade Policy Advisor at the Economic Ministry, told EconCouns the GONL strongly supports German Chancellor Merkel's proposal for a new transatlantic partnership. However, the GONL remains concerned that little time remains before the summit and that proposals on regulatory reform and on further transatlantic economic integration may not be sufficiently ambitious and concrete. On WTO Doha negotiations, the Dutch recognize the benefits of bilateral Free Trade Agreements but continue to favor a multilateral approach and will push within the EU for completion of a Doha agreement. Iran - Implementing UNSCR resolutions -------------- ; ¶5. (C) Eric Ligthart, Deputy Director, Financial Integrity Unit, Ministry of Finance, told econoff the Dutch have fully implemented UNSCR 1737. The Netherlands expects the EU Council will soon approve UNSCR 1747. Ligthart added, though, that the GONL is concerned about the linakge in 1747 between the banning of export goods and the financing of those goods. While banning actual goods is fairly straightforward, the linkage between specific goods and financial services is not always clear. This is especially true when a financial institution may be but one intermediary in a long chain of payments. UNSCR 1747 also uses broad language, such as "directly and indirectly," said Ligthart, that makes it hard for banks to identify how they will be held accountable for approving dual use goods or a chain payment. As a result, the UNSCR is requiring financial institutions to do what they are "unable to do," he said. He added that the GONL is likely to raise these issues in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The GONL intends to work with the FATF to determine how UNSCR 1747 can be implemented and to prevent WMD financing. The Dutch will stress practical, workable measures for the financial sector during these discussions, he said. Open Skies Plus -------------- ¶6. (C) Econoff met April 13 with Rene Fennes, Head of Civil Aviation at the Dutch Ministry of Transport and Water. Fennes said that the Dutch would do everything possible to ensure that the agreement was signed by the Dutch Representative at the upcoming meetings in Brussels. Fennes reiterated that the GONL has been a strong proponent of the Open Skies Plus agreement from the beginning, noting that they were prepared to sign previous drafts from 2005 and ¶2006. The overall Dutch desire for an updated transatlantic air agreement stems from the obvious benefits to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and Air-France/KLM. Sudan - must keep up pressure on GOS -------------- ¶7. (SBU) MFA Deputy European Correspondent Jeroen Boender told poloff April 18 that the Dutch government was cautiously optimistic on Sudanese agreement to the heavy support package. The GONL is concerned, though, that a financing gap will open again within a few months. The Netherlands supports the U.S. and UK approach of keeping pressure on the Sudanese government, and it is exploring the possiblity of sanctions. Zimbabwe - no lifting of sanctions -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Boender said the GONL would give the Southern Africa Development Community's initiative time but would not consider lifting sanctions until concrete progress is seen on the ground. He added that consensus appears to exist within the EU on this matter. Somalia -------------- ¶9. (SBU) The GAERC will likely adopt a resolution calling for a political solution, said Boender, but the EU at present "can do little." Comment: The Dutch priority in the Horn of Africa remains Sudan, where they are a major donor. End comment. Central Asia and Uzbekistan -------------- ¶10. (SBU) The GONL, said Boender, remains concerned about Uzbekistan's intransigience on human rights. They do not expect the issue to be raised at the GAERC, though this could change in light of the expulsion of the Human Rights Watch representative. Western Balkans -------------- ¶11. (SBU) The Dutch do not expect the Western Balkans to be on the agenda. That said, Boender emphasized that Dutch support for the Ahtisaari plan remains unchanged. Further, the GONL will continue to press a new Serb government to cooperate fully with the ICTY. Middle East Peace Process -------------- ¶12. (SBU) The Dutch welcome the contact between Olmert and Abbas. While the Dutch position remains unchanged regarding travel of Palestinian officials to EU countries, Boender said it is unclear how other European countries will react to developments. ARNALL