NETHERLANDS/SUDAN: DUTCH SUPPORT JOINT INTEGRATED

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000041 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR AF/SPG E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/09/2017 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL NL SU SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/SUDAN: DUTCH SUPPORT JOINT INTEGRATED UNITS, WANT DETAILS REF: SECSTATE 1335 Classified By: Political Counselor Andrew Schofer for reasons 1.5(b) an d (d) ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: On January 10, 2008 Poloff delivered reftel points to Mr. Huub Buise, Head of the Dutch MFA's Sudan Task Force and Horn of Africa section. Buise was accompanied by Lisette den Breems, senior policy officer for Sudan, Erwin van Veen, policy advisor in the Unit for Peacebuilding and Good Governance, and Jaime de Bourbon Parme, policy officer for Peacekeeping Operations. ¶2. (C) The Dutch are inclined to offer training for the Joint Integrated Units (JIU),but they want further details about the situation in Sudan and the JIU support cell. FM Verhagen will visit Sudan February 4-7 and would welcome an opportunity to meet with the new Special Envoy to Sudan, Mr. Williamson. Post requests Washington guidance on responding to Dutch concerns (para 4,6). END SUMMARY. ¶3. (C) Buise said that the Dutch agree the JIU deployment is a "good first step." The Dutch are "extremely willing to support" Security Sector Reform (SSR). Buise indicated that "financially" the Netherlands could conceivably provide airlift. However, given the many uncertainties, the Netherlands is inclined to start in a limited way, with training. The Dutch are not inclined to provide military equipment or transport at this time. They are looking for the needs assessment from the JIU support cell and have several other questions related to JIU support. Nonetheless, if the Sudanese are truly open to assistance, the international community needs to "move forward quickly." FM Verhagen and Minister of Development Koenders will visit Sudan during February 4-7. Support to the JIUs could be a deliverable for the visit. ¶4. (C) Buise and his team raised several questions about the proposed assistance to the JIUs, in addition to their request for the JIU support cell's needs assessment. First, the Dutch are looking for the U.S. assessment of how willing the GOS is to receive this aid. Anecdotally, Buise noted that the GOS has not released a shipment of blue berets for UN forces. Second, how will the USG manage aid to the SPLA and SAF elements, which could become a sensitive political issue for the GOS. Third, how will the USG coordinate with the JIU support cell? Fourth, the Dutch need accurate military information. The GOS continues to deny a visa to the proposed Dutch DATT. Buise confided that their first candidate for that job has now been assigned elsewhere. The GOS has also denied a visit to the Dutch logistics officer. Fifth, the Dutch are interested in the reaction of other partners to the U.S. request for JIU support. The Dutch would also like to know if the USG is engaging China in this effort. Finally, Buise offered his condolences on the death of Mr. Granville. The Dutch are interested in how the murder investigation proceeds and would welcome an assessment of threats to diplomatic personnel in Sudan. ¶5. (SBU) Buise emphasized that FM Verhagen sent him a note expressing interest in a meeting with the new Special Envoy to Sudan, Mr. Williamson. ¶6. (SBU) Post requests guidance on responding to Dutch concerns in paragraph 4. Arnall