Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08THEHAGUE141
2008-02-15 12:49:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
NETHERLANDS/GEORGIA: RESPONSE ON ABKHAZIA DEMARCHE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHTC #0141 0461249 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 151249Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1069 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT PRIORITY 0092 RUEHKB/AMEMBASSY BAKU PRIORITY 0101 RUEHCH/AMEMBASSY CHISINAU PRIORITY 0119 RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KYIV PRIORITY 0453 RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI PRIORITY 0137 RUEHYE/AMEMBASSY YEREVAN PRIORITY 0035
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000141
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/CARC, EUR/WE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2018
TAGS: PREL GG RU YI NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/GEORGIA: RESPONSE ON ABKHAZIA DEMARCHE
REF: A. STATE 14840
B. THE HAGUE 0126
C. THE HAGUE 0131
Classified By: CDA Michael Gallagher, reasons 1.4 (b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000141
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/CARC, EUR/WE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2018
TAGS: PREL GG RU YI NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/GEORGIA: RESPONSE ON ABKHAZIA DEMARCHE
REF: A. STATE 14840
B. THE HAGUE 0126
C. THE HAGUE 0131
Classified By: CDA Michael Gallagher, reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) Charge delivered reftel A points to MFA Deputy
Political Director Wim Geerts on February 15. Geerts noted
that the GONL was aware of Russian machinations in Georgia.
But as long as it was kept to a "war of words," he thought
the Russian argument would do more to annoy than actually
prove effective. Geerts argued that the Kosovo case was "sui
generis," and in no way is related to any other situation or
country. He agreed that UNSCR 1244 is the appropriate legal
basis governing the situation in Kosovo. Geerts inquired if
the USG had any information suggesting Moscow might take
further action beyond "just talking" or issuing passports to
Georgians in Abkhazia; Charge was not aware of any such
information, but offered to pass it to the GONL should we
receive it.
2. (C) Charge asked if the Dutch position on recognizing
Kosovo had advanced any further than that described in
reftels B and C. Geerts said the GONL is maintaining the
same position, notably that the Dutch want to first review
the Kosovar declaration of independence and constitution to
determine how they adhere to previous commitments made in
conjunction with the Ahtisaari Plan. Finally, Geerts
reiterated that the GONL wants to see the Kosovar government
implement the protection of Serb minorities "on the ground"
over some period of time.
Gallagher
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/CARC, EUR/WE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2018
TAGS: PREL GG RU YI NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/GEORGIA: RESPONSE ON ABKHAZIA DEMARCHE
REF: A. STATE 14840
B. THE HAGUE 0126
C. THE HAGUE 0131
Classified By: CDA Michael Gallagher, reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) Charge delivered reftel A points to MFA Deputy
Political Director Wim Geerts on February 15. Geerts noted
that the GONL was aware of Russian machinations in Georgia.
But as long as it was kept to a "war of words," he thought
the Russian argument would do more to annoy than actually
prove effective. Geerts argued that the Kosovo case was "sui
generis," and in no way is related to any other situation or
country. He agreed that UNSCR 1244 is the appropriate legal
basis governing the situation in Kosovo. Geerts inquired if
the USG had any information suggesting Moscow might take
further action beyond "just talking" or issuing passports to
Georgians in Abkhazia; Charge was not aware of any such
information, but offered to pass it to the GONL should we
receive it.
2. (C) Charge asked if the Dutch position on recognizing
Kosovo had advanced any further than that described in
reftels B and C. Geerts said the GONL is maintaining the
same position, notably that the Dutch want to first review
the Kosovar declaration of independence and constitution to
determine how they adhere to previous commitments made in
conjunction with the Ahtisaari Plan. Finally, Geerts
reiterated that the GONL wants to see the Kosovar government
implement the protection of Serb minorities "on the ground"
over some period of time.
Gallagher