NETHERLANDS/GEORGIA: RESPONSE ON ABKHAZIA DEMARCHE

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