Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08THEHAGUE441
2008-05-23 13:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
NETHERLANDS:PLANS FOR MAY 25 BURMA CONFERENCE
how-toVZCZCXRO1921 OO RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHDT RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHPB RUEHROV DE RUEHTC #0441 1441348 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 231348Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1503 INFO RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 0120 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 4444
UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000441
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS (ACOPE),EUR/WE (TSMITH)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PGOV PHUM NL BM
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS:PLANS FOR MAY 25 BURMA CONFERENCE
REF: A. STATE 55244
B. STATE 53985
UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000441
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS (ACOPE),EUR/WE (TSMITH)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PGOV PHUM NL BM
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS:PLANS FOR MAY 25 BURMA CONFERENCE
REF: A. STATE 55244
B. STATE 53985
1. (SBU) EconOff delivered reftel demarches May 22 and May 23
to Karin Jager, Humanitarian Aid Division, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. Jager said the Netherlands shares U.S.
concerns about the Burmese regime's limitations on
humanitarian relief efforts and supports the same priorities
for the May 25 conference. She added that the Netherlands
did not want the conference to become a "showdown" where the
Burmese regime tries to dictate the terms of international
assistance.
2. (SBU) Regarding Dutch participation at the conference,
Jager said that as of Friday morning, May 23, Development
Minister Bert Koenders had not "formally" made a decision
whether to attend himself. She added, however, that the time
window for Koenders to travel was closing, making it unlikely
he would attend. The Dutch Ambassador in Bangkok, who is
also accredited to Burma, will attend the conference. The
Bangkok-based Dutch political counselor is already in
Rangoon. (Note: The day before, May 22, Koenders was
"leaning towards not attending" because he would be
"vulnerable" without Minister-level participation from other
countries. However, he reconsidered as the Dutch learned
that UK, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway would send high-level
representatives. End note.)
3. (SBU) Regarding Dutch pledging intentions, Jager said the
Netherlands plans to top up the EUR 1.5 million (USD 2.4
million) it has pledged to date by an additional EUR 3.5
million (USD 5.5 million). These funds would mostly go
through UN agencies, such as UNICEF and WFP, and to the
International Committee of the Red Cross.
Gallagher
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS (ACOPE),EUR/WE (TSMITH)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PGOV PHUM NL BM
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS:PLANS FOR MAY 25 BURMA CONFERENCE
REF: A. STATE 55244
B. STATE 53985
1. (SBU) EconOff delivered reftel demarches May 22 and May 23
to Karin Jager, Humanitarian Aid Division, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. Jager said the Netherlands shares U.S.
concerns about the Burmese regime's limitations on
humanitarian relief efforts and supports the same priorities
for the May 25 conference. She added that the Netherlands
did not want the conference to become a "showdown" where the
Burmese regime tries to dictate the terms of international
assistance.
2. (SBU) Regarding Dutch participation at the conference,
Jager said that as of Friday morning, May 23, Development
Minister Bert Koenders had not "formally" made a decision
whether to attend himself. She added, however, that the time
window for Koenders to travel was closing, making it unlikely
he would attend. The Dutch Ambassador in Bangkok, who is
also accredited to Burma, will attend the conference. The
Bangkok-based Dutch political counselor is already in
Rangoon. (Note: The day before, May 22, Koenders was
"leaning towards not attending" because he would be
"vulnerable" without Minister-level participation from other
countries. However, he reconsidered as the Dutch learned
that UK, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway would send high-level
representatives. End note.)
3. (SBU) Regarding Dutch pledging intentions, Jager said the
Netherlands plans to top up the EUR 1.5 million (USD 2.4
million) it has pledged to date by an additional EUR 3.5
million (USD 5.5 million). These funds would mostly go
through UN agencies, such as UNICEF and WFP, and to the
International Committee of the Red Cross.
Gallagher