Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08THEHAGUE52
2008-01-16 12:37:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
NETHERLANDS/AFGHANISTAN: AMBASSADOR ARNALL
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHTC #0052 0161237 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 161237Z JAN 08 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0930 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 2748 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0349 RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000052
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR P, A/S FRIED, EUR PDAS VOLKER, EUR/WE, EUR/RPM
OSD FOR SECDEF, DEPSECDEF
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL NATO AF NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/AFGHANISTAN: AMBASSADOR ARNALL
SUMMONED OVER LA TIMES ARTICLE
REF: LA TIMES 1/16/08 ARTICLE "GATES FAULTS NATO
FORCES IN SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN"
Classified By: Ambassador Roland Arnall, reasons 1.4 (b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000052
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR P, A/S FRIED, EUR PDAS VOLKER, EUR/WE, EUR/RPM
OSD FOR SECDEF, DEPSECDEF
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL NATO AF NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/AFGHANISTAN: AMBASSADOR ARNALL
SUMMONED OVER LA TIMES ARTICLE
REF: LA TIMES 1/16/08 ARTICLE "GATES FAULTS NATO
FORCES IN SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN"
Classified By: Ambassador Roland Arnall, reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (SBU) This is an action request; please see para 3.
2. (C) Defense Minister Eimert van Middelkoop summoned
Ambassador Arnall January 16 to discuss an article appearing
in the Los Angeles Times (reftel) in which Secretary Gates
reportedly criticized NATO forces -- Canada, the United
Kingdom, and the Netherlands -- currently deployed in
southern Afghanistan as incapable of combating a guerrilla
insurgency. In a cordial meeting, van Middelkoop expressed
dismay over the comments reported in the article, and asked
for clarification. He noted that he had met Secretary Gates
five times over the past year, and had hoped the two had
established a solid working relationship. If there are
disagreements over strategy, van Middelkoop said, then they
should be discussed "quietly among friends, and not aired in
the press." He noted that PM Balkenende has requested an
explanation. Van Middelkoop said the comments as they
currently stand potentially could ignite "anti-American"
feelings in the Netherlands, and further "drive a wedge"
among Allies.
3. (SBU) Action request: Post requests immediate Washington
guidance in response to van Middelkoop's request for
clarification, especially given the fact that Amb. Arnall
delivered January 15 a letter of appreciation from Secretary
Gates to van Middelkoop regarding the Dutch decision to
extend their ISAF mission in Afghanistan.
Arnall
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR P, A/S FRIED, EUR PDAS VOLKER, EUR/WE, EUR/RPM
OSD FOR SECDEF, DEPSECDEF
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL NATO AF NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/AFGHANISTAN: AMBASSADOR ARNALL
SUMMONED OVER LA TIMES ARTICLE
REF: LA TIMES 1/16/08 ARTICLE "GATES FAULTS NATO
FORCES IN SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN"
Classified By: Ambassador Roland Arnall, reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (SBU) This is an action request; please see para 3.
2. (C) Defense Minister Eimert van Middelkoop summoned
Ambassador Arnall January 16 to discuss an article appearing
in the Los Angeles Times (reftel) in which Secretary Gates
reportedly criticized NATO forces -- Canada, the United
Kingdom, and the Netherlands -- currently deployed in
southern Afghanistan as incapable of combating a guerrilla
insurgency. In a cordial meeting, van Middelkoop expressed
dismay over the comments reported in the article, and asked
for clarification. He noted that he had met Secretary Gates
five times over the past year, and had hoped the two had
established a solid working relationship. If there are
disagreements over strategy, van Middelkoop said, then they
should be discussed "quietly among friends, and not aired in
the press." He noted that PM Balkenende has requested an
explanation. Van Middelkoop said the comments as they
currently stand potentially could ignite "anti-American"
feelings in the Netherlands, and further "drive a wedge"
among Allies.
3. (SBU) Action request: Post requests immediate Washington
guidance in response to van Middelkoop's request for
clarification, especially given the fact that Amb. Arnall
delivered January 15 a letter of appreciation from Secretary
Gates to van Middelkoop regarding the Dutch decision to
extend their ISAF mission in Afghanistan.
Arnall