NETHERLANDS/PALESTINE: DUTCH PLANS FOR BERLIN

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000532 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/17/2018 TAGS: EAID EU NL PAL SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/PALESTINE: DUTCH PLANS FOR BERLIN CONFERENCE Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Eric Falls for reasons 1.5 (b ,d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: On June 17, Poloff met with Michael Thijssen, Dutch MFA policy officer for Palestine, to discuss Dutch plans for participation at the June 24 Berlin Conference, as well as Dutch contributions to rule of law development. At the invitation of Germany, the Dutch will likely host the next rule of law conference for Palestine. Thijssen also reviewed the Dutch views on EU-U.S. coordination. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) PARTICIPATION: Thijssen stated that Dutch Minister of Development Cooperation Bert Koenders will attend the conference, while FM Maxime Verhagen will attend the dinner the night before. ¶3. (C) DUTCH CONTRIBUTIONS: Thijssen said that the Dutch do not plan to announce additional funding or programs in Berlin but will continue as active donors to Palestinian rule of law programs. The Dutch lead the local donor coordination on the rule of law. The Dutch funded a study on jails and the prison system in the West Bank, and as a follow-up are supporting the overhaul of a prison in Jenin. The Dutch will fund additional prison improvements over the next three years. The Dutch are also currently funding an assessment of the criminal justice system in Palestine. The Dutch will probably fund related improvements after the completion of that second study. ¶4. (C) EU-U.S. COORDINATION: Thijssen supports the current division of labor, with the EU supporting rule of law and civil security, and the United States addressing military issues. Thijssen requested information on the U.S. presence in Berlin as well as further program plans. The Dutch coordinate closely with U.S. contacts in Israel on security issues. The United States and the EU should continue and improve their close coordination. Gallagher