NETHERLANDS/GAERC: DUTCH VIEWS ON BALKANS, BURMA,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 000137 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/WE, EUR/ERA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL EU NL SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/GAERC: DUTCH VIEWS ON BALKANS, BURMA, AFRICA SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY. ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Kosovo's imminent declaration of independence dominated the GONL briefing in preparation for the February 18 GAERC. Dutch MFA Deputy EU Correspondent Rochus Pronk briefed allies February 13 on Dutch views regarding Kosovo, Serbia and SAA, Burma, Africa, the Middle East, Iran, the European Neighborhood Policy, and the Economic Partnership Agreement. End summary. KOSOVO -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Pronk said most are speculating that February 17 will be the declaration of independence (DI),and suggested the EU was taking a "wait and see approach." He said the Presidency is currently working on a formula or statement -- a "platform" -- that will take into account all national positions and procedures, and therefore allowing EU member states to recognize once they are able. ¶3. (SBU) Pronk said the Dutch will not be one of the first to recognize, noting that the Dutch still have concerns regarding the declaration and constitution, as well as how the Kosovar government implements measures to protect ethnic minorities "on the ground." He acknowledged that a prolonged examination of how minorities were treated was not sustainable. In essence, the Dutch intend to look at how closely the declaration and constitution match the Ahtisaari Plan, coupled with the first few weeks of how minorities are treated by the Kosovar authorities prior to any recognition, Pronk said. ¶4. (SBU) Pronk said the last document likely to be adopted by the EU on Kosovo is the operational plan, which will allow for the deployment of the ESDP mission following a DI -- this document will be on the GAERC agenda. He noted that KFOR will remain in Kosovo, which is extremely important from the Dutch perspective to ensure the stability of Kosovo following a DI. ¶5. (SBU) Pronk acknowledged that the Dutch recognition process will be time-consuming. Following approval by the Council of the Kingdom, the Queen, and the Council of Ministers, the GONL will inform the Dutch Parliament of its decision. Pronk expected a contentious debate in parliament, especially as many parliamentarians have been examining the legal basis of an independence declaration. In that regard, the GONL hoped to obtain broad parliamentary support for its decision -- which has yet to be decided. FM Verhagen will appear before Parliament February 14 to discuss Kosovo. SERBIA -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Pronk said the EU political dialogue agreement with Serbia remains "on the table," but has not been signed due to the political crisis in Belgrade. He noted that the disparate parties in Belgrade appear to have found a temporarily common focus point with regard to the impending Kosovar DI, but these political processes must "play out." He also suggested that Serbian leadership would likely have responded in the same fashion to SAA as it did to the political dialogue agreement, which would have proven "embarrassing" for the EU if SAA had been offered and momentarily ignored -- from that perspective, it was reassuring to know that the Dutch had not been "proven wrong," Pronk said. ¶7. (SBU) Regarding the Dutch insistence on ICTY conditionality, Pronk said the GONL still does not understand how it became isolated on this issue; "surely, other member states recognize the atrocities Mladic and Karadzic have committed." He emphasized that much attention has been placed on getting Mladic to The Hague, perhaps because Mladic was viewed as the "easier of the two" to capture. Nevertheless, Karadzic's apprehension also remains important from the Dutch perspective. BURMA -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Pronk noted that the Netherlands, the UK, and Ireland had placed Burma on the GAERC agenda. He did not expect much discussion on Burma, except perhaps continued support of EU sanctions. Pronk noted that the upcoming referendum and elections in 2010 would be meaningless if the opposition was not allowed to participate. The GONL believes THE HAGUE 00000137 002 OF 002 UN SYG Ban Ki-Moon should travel to Burma as soon as possible. AFRICA -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Pronk said the Dutch are very concerned about Kenya, and support the efforts of former UN SYG Koffi Annan. Pronk noted that Dutch Development Minister Bert Koenders had recently visited Kenya, and had pledged 150,000 euros to Annan's secretariat, and another one million euros to assist internally displaced persons (IDPs). Pronk said the EU is not ready to impose visa restrictions similar to ones imposed by the USG, but added that if Annan felt such restrictions were warranted, then the EU should take a "hard look at them," as well. ¶10. (SBU) On Chad, Pronk noted the "worrisome developments," but added that the deployment of the EUFOR mission to Chad has resumed. He said the early deployment of EUFOR is essential, especially in terms of finding a regional solution. In that respect, Pronk noted that Sudan was not on the agenda, but could not imagine a discussion on Chad without also discussing Sudan. He said the Dutch were still examining possible ways to contribute toward the EUFOR mission to Chad. MIDDLE EAST -------------- ¶11. (SBU) Pronk expected a brief discussion on the Middle East, and noted that Dutch FM Verhagen had just returned from the region. While Pronk expected no new developments during the GAERC, he reiterated that Verhagen had returned enthusiastic regarding prospects for carrying out the Annapolis process. IRAN -------------- ¶12. (SBU) Pronk suggested the Council will not spend much time on Iran, especially as prospects for a third round of UN sanctions "look promising." He noted that the EU would prefer the UN take the lead on Iran, with the EU offering support once new sanctions are announced. ENP --- ¶13. (SBU) Pronk said the GONL supports the Commission's conclusions regarding reinforcing the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP),but added that differentiation is important with the ENP -- "one size should not fit all." He said the GONL welcomes efforts by Israel, Ukraine, and Morocco to strengthen their relationships with the EU, but was clear this should not be confused as a possible "stepping stone" toward EU membership -- "these are separate and distinct." EPA --- ¶14. (SBU) The GONL supports the continuation of Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations, but believes the Commission should realistically assess prospects for each region, including especially Central and West Africa. The Dutch believe it is also important for Association of Caribbean States (ACS) countries to clearly articulate in what manner they wish to enter the EPA process. Gallagher