Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08THEHAGUE395
2008-05-09 15:51:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
NETHERLANDS/AFGHANISTAN: DUTCH SUPPORT AT PARIS
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C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000395
SIPDIS
SCA/A (LFRESE),EUR/WE (TSMITH)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/09/2018
TAGS: EAID ECON EFIN KDEM PGOV PREL NL AF
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/AFGHANISTAN: DUTCH SUPPORT AT PARIS
CONFERENCE
REF: A. STATE 44359
B. STATE 32155
Classified By: CDA Michael Gallagher, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000395
SIPDIS
SCA/A (LFRESE),EUR/WE (TSMITH)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/09/2018
TAGS: EAID ECON EFIN KDEM PGOV PREL NL AF
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/AFGHANISTAN: DUTCH SUPPORT AT PARIS
CONFERENCE
REF: A. STATE 44359
B. STATE 32155
Classified By: CDA Michael Gallagher, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (SBU) The Netherlands will announce a level or higher
pledge at the upcoming Paris Conference than at the 2006
London Conference, according to the point person for Dutch
assistance to Afghanistan. Both Foreign Minister Maxime
Verhagen and Development Minister Bert Koenders plan to
attend.
2. (SBU) PolCouns met Koen Davidse, MFA Peace Building and
Stabilisation Unit Director, May 8 to discuss the upcoming
Paris Support Conference for Afghanistan per reftels.
Davidse could not yet specify exactly what the Dutch pledge
would be in Paris (the GONL is still updating its assistance
picture),but he did state that it will "definitely not be a
decrease" from their London pledge. (Note: The GONL pledged
USD 181 million for Afghan reconstruction during 2006-2008 at
the 2006 London conference. End note.) Davidse said that
the GONL was willing to assist the Afghan elections, in
addition to its existing bilateral focus on Uruzgan province
and its contributions to multilateral activities (e.g., UNHCR
and UNICEF). Overall, "chances are good" that total pledges
in Paris will top those in London. Davidse added that the
GONL sees the Paris Conference as an important part of an
ongoing process to sustain efforts and improve coordination
among donors in Afghanistan. Davidse compared the conference
to the NATO Bucharest summit -- the Dutch want greater burden
sharing and more partners.
3. (C) Regarding preparations for the conference, Davidse
said France has a "different take, maybe from all of us," in
wanting to set up a political forum to air concerns about
Afghanistan's election process, corruption, and
counternarcotics efforts. (Note: MFA officials privately
criticized French organization of the conference when EmbOff
first approached the GONL about it in April. End Note.)
However, Davidse said that a discussion of successes and
failures in Afghanistan was merited and the Dutch wanted the
conference to "have a balance between financial pledges and
political discussion." He added that a high-level meeting on
the eve of the conference is a good idea so that leaders can
compare pledging intentions and clarify their public message.
4. (C) In Afghanistan, the Dutch are concerned that the
government is not prioritizing or making key decisions that
need to be made. The Dutch further hope that the UN, under
UN Special Representative Eide's leadership, will take a
stronger role. Davidse said the unfilled UNAMA missions are
a problem -- Eide will only be as good as the support he
gets.
Gallagher
SIPDIS
SCA/A (LFRESE),EUR/WE (TSMITH)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/09/2018
TAGS: EAID ECON EFIN KDEM PGOV PREL NL AF
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/AFGHANISTAN: DUTCH SUPPORT AT PARIS
CONFERENCE
REF: A. STATE 44359
B. STATE 32155
Classified By: CDA Michael Gallagher, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (SBU) The Netherlands will announce a level or higher
pledge at the upcoming Paris Conference than at the 2006
London Conference, according to the point person for Dutch
assistance to Afghanistan. Both Foreign Minister Maxime
Verhagen and Development Minister Bert Koenders plan to
attend.
2. (SBU) PolCouns met Koen Davidse, MFA Peace Building and
Stabilisation Unit Director, May 8 to discuss the upcoming
Paris Support Conference for Afghanistan per reftels.
Davidse could not yet specify exactly what the Dutch pledge
would be in Paris (the GONL is still updating its assistance
picture),but he did state that it will "definitely not be a
decrease" from their London pledge. (Note: The GONL pledged
USD 181 million for Afghan reconstruction during 2006-2008 at
the 2006 London conference. End note.) Davidse said that
the GONL was willing to assist the Afghan elections, in
addition to its existing bilateral focus on Uruzgan province
and its contributions to multilateral activities (e.g., UNHCR
and UNICEF). Overall, "chances are good" that total pledges
in Paris will top those in London. Davidse added that the
GONL sees the Paris Conference as an important part of an
ongoing process to sustain efforts and improve coordination
among donors in Afghanistan. Davidse compared the conference
to the NATO Bucharest summit -- the Dutch want greater burden
sharing and more partners.
3. (C) Regarding preparations for the conference, Davidse
said France has a "different take, maybe from all of us," in
wanting to set up a political forum to air concerns about
Afghanistan's election process, corruption, and
counternarcotics efforts. (Note: MFA officials privately
criticized French organization of the conference when EmbOff
first approached the GONL about it in April. End Note.)
However, Davidse said that a discussion of successes and
failures in Afghanistan was merited and the Dutch wanted the
conference to "have a balance between financial pledges and
political discussion." He added that a high-level meeting on
the eve of the conference is a good idea so that leaders can
compare pledging intentions and clarify their public message.
4. (C) In Afghanistan, the Dutch are concerned that the
government is not prioritizing or making key decisions that
need to be made. The Dutch further hope that the UN, under
UN Special Representative Eide's leadership, will take a
stronger role. Davidse said the unfilled UNAMA missions are
a problem -- Eide will only be as good as the support he
gets.
Gallagher