Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08THEHAGUE299
2008-03-28 12:39:00
SECRET
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
DUTCH FINANCE MINISTRY ON UNSCR 1803
how-toVZCZCXRO7343 RR RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHFL RUEHKUK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV DE RUEHTC #0299 0881239 ZNY SSSSS ZZH R 281239Z MAR 08 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1303 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE RUEHTC/AMCONSUL AMSTERDAM 3935 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASH DC
S E C R E T THE HAGUE 000299
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR ISN/CPI (MNEW, JCHALMERS) AND EUR/WE (TSMITH)
STATE ALSO FOR EB/ESC/TFS, S/CT, EUR/PGI
TREASURY FOR TFFC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/28/2033
TAGS: EFIN EINV ETRD PARM PREL KNNP MNUC IR NL
SUBJECT: DUTCH FINANCE MINISTRY ON UNSCR 1803
IMPLEMENTATION, EFFECT ON IRAN-RELATED BUSINESS
REF: A. STATE 029098
B. STATE 029096
Classified By: CDA Michael Gallagher, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
S E C R E T THE HAGUE 000299
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR ISN/CPI (MNEW, JCHALMERS) AND EUR/WE (TSMITH)
STATE ALSO FOR EB/ESC/TFS, S/CT, EUR/PGI
TREASURY FOR TFFC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/28/2033
TAGS: EFIN EINV ETRD PARM PREL KNNP MNUC IR NL
SUBJECT: DUTCH FINANCE MINISTRY ON UNSCR 1803
IMPLEMENTATION, EFFECT ON IRAN-RELATED BUSINESS
REF: A. STATE 029098
B. STATE 029096
Classified By: CDA Michael Gallagher, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (U) Econoff delivered points, per refs A and B, on March
26 to Eric Ligthart, Policy Advisor Integrity Division,
Ministry of Finance (MOF). Separately, Emboffs delivered ref
B points to Foreign Ministry officials in the Terrorism and
New Threats Unit and on the Iran desk. Ligthart's office is
the conduit between MOF and De Nederlandsche Bank (Dutch
central bank) on financial implementation of UNSCRs 1737,
1747, and 1803 and FATF guidance on Iran.
2. (S) Ligthart assured that the Dutch Government would
continue to work with financial institutions to be vigilant
over all Iran-related business. He said that Dutch banks
already exercise a very high level of scrutiny over Iran
transactions, beyond what the government has called for
officially. For example, Ligthart said, Dutch financial
institutions are only accepting from Bank Melli and Bank
Saderat repayment of letters of credit (LCs) owed to Dutch
companies. He added that if a Dutch company tries to
establish a new commercial relationship with an Iranian
entity, Dutch financial insitutions "will not touch it".
3. (S) Ligthart said that the implementation of financial
restrictions on Iran is increasingly affecting Dutch
commercial interests. MOF has received a number of
approaches from established, reputable Dutch companies (e.g.,
consumer products and agricultural goods) asking how they can
properly get paid for exports to Iran or get their money out
of Iran. When companies approach MOF for assistance on such
matters, Ligthart said that he can only jokingly advise them
to try to get some oil as compensation. (Note: Ligthart said
he has heard rumors of barter arrangements being used to
circumvent banking restrictions. End note.) He said that
these company complaints have not yet risen to a political
level -- i.e., no member of parliament has raised the issue
-- but might in the future. Ligthart also noted some Dutch
concern over the humanitarian situation that would develop if
Bank Markazi (Iran's central bank) is designated, which, he
added, would effectively create an economic embargo of Iran.
Gallagher
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR ISN/CPI (MNEW, JCHALMERS) AND EUR/WE (TSMITH)
STATE ALSO FOR EB/ESC/TFS, S/CT, EUR/PGI
TREASURY FOR TFFC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/28/2033
TAGS: EFIN EINV ETRD PARM PREL KNNP MNUC IR NL
SUBJECT: DUTCH FINANCE MINISTRY ON UNSCR 1803
IMPLEMENTATION, EFFECT ON IRAN-RELATED BUSINESS
REF: A. STATE 029098
B. STATE 029096
Classified By: CDA Michael Gallagher, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (U) Econoff delivered points, per refs A and B, on March
26 to Eric Ligthart, Policy Advisor Integrity Division,
Ministry of Finance (MOF). Separately, Emboffs delivered ref
B points to Foreign Ministry officials in the Terrorism and
New Threats Unit and on the Iran desk. Ligthart's office is
the conduit between MOF and De Nederlandsche Bank (Dutch
central bank) on financial implementation of UNSCRs 1737,
1747, and 1803 and FATF guidance on Iran.
2. (S) Ligthart assured that the Dutch Government would
continue to work with financial institutions to be vigilant
over all Iran-related business. He said that Dutch banks
already exercise a very high level of scrutiny over Iran
transactions, beyond what the government has called for
officially. For example, Ligthart said, Dutch financial
institutions are only accepting from Bank Melli and Bank
Saderat repayment of letters of credit (LCs) owed to Dutch
companies. He added that if a Dutch company tries to
establish a new commercial relationship with an Iranian
entity, Dutch financial insitutions "will not touch it".
3. (S) Ligthart said that the implementation of financial
restrictions on Iran is increasingly affecting Dutch
commercial interests. MOF has received a number of
approaches from established, reputable Dutch companies (e.g.,
consumer products and agricultural goods) asking how they can
properly get paid for exports to Iran or get their money out
of Iran. When companies approach MOF for assistance on such
matters, Ligthart said that he can only jokingly advise them
to try to get some oil as compensation. (Note: Ligthart said
he has heard rumors of barter arrangements being used to
circumvent banking restrictions. End note.) He said that
these company complaints have not yet risen to a political
level -- i.e., no member of parliament has raised the issue
-- but might in the future. Ligthart also noted some Dutch
concern over the humanitarian situation that would develop if
Bank Markazi (Iran's central bank) is designated, which, he
added, would effectively create an economic embargo of Iran.
Gallagher