NETHERLANDS: SUPPORTS "LIKE-MINDED" STATES IN OSLO

S E C R E T THE HAGUE 000144

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR PM/WRA, EUR/WE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2018
TAGS: MOPS PARM PREL NATO UN NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: SUPPORTS "LIKE-MINDED" STATES IN OSLO
PROCESS

REF: STATE 13614

Classified By: CDA Michael F. Gallagher, reasons 1.4 (b,d)


1. (S) The GONL appreciated reftel points in preparation for
the February 18-22 Oslo Process meeting in Wellington. MFA
Head of Arms Control and Arms Export Policy Matthijs Wolters
told polmiloff February 15 that the Dutch subscribe to the
group of 17 "like-minded" countries participating in the Oslo
Process who possess and/or have used cluster munitions, and
continue to see their military utility. At the same time,
Wolters explained, these "like-minded" countries wish to
balance the use of cluster munitions and maintaining military
interoperability with the effort to minimize the humanitarian
impact created by explosive remnants of war (ERW). These
like-minded countries view the Oslo Process as a parallel
track to efforts in the Convention on Conventional Weapons
(CCW).


2. (S) Wolters said the GONL was aware of complications
related to Articles 1(b) and (c) and 9 of the Oslo Process,
and therefore will work with other like-minded countries to
change such text so that it allows for exemptions to the
Convention in the context of joint multilateral operations.
He argued that this was a "question of definition," and
suggested that the core supporters of the Oslo Process --
namely Norway, Ireland, and Austria -- had gone beyond the
intent of those that had initially met in Oslo to discuss
cluster munitions. Wolters said a distinction must be made
between cluster munitions that should and should not be
permissible based on a defined criteria focusing on
reliability and precision, while taking into consideration
possible future technological developments.


3. (S) Wolters argued that the core group needs the
participation of the group of like-minded countries in order
to give any result in the Oslo Process some viability and
legitimacy -- otherwise, participating countries in the
Process will be those that do not possess cluster munitions,
have never used them, and do not see the value of their use.
He said the Dutch have tried to make this argument "crystal
clear" to the Norwegians, but was afraid this argument had
"simply not sunk in." In the end, he suggested the core
group would budge and agree to allow exemptions as advocated
by the like-minded countries -- and suggested a convention
could be in place when the participating countries meet this
summer in Dublin. That said, Wolters expected little
progress in Wellington next week.


4. (S) Wolters did not disagree with reftel points, noting
that NGOs often intentionally misinterpret data on fatalities
related to cluster munitions. He said the GONL certainly
does not view cluster munitions as being on par with
fatalities linked to anti-personnel landmines. That said, he
noted that domestic politicians -- including Dutch
parliamentarians -- are easily swayed by such misinformation.

Gallagher