Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08THEHAGUE607
2008-07-18 13:05:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:  

NETHERLANDS/SOMALIA: IMPLEMENTATION OF UNSCR 1816

Tags:  EWWT KCRM KCRS KJUS PHSA PREL NL SO XA XW 
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VZCZCXRO0836
RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV
DE RUEHTC #0607 2001305
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 181305Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1747
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 4477
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS 0653
UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000607 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FOR AF/RSA JUN BANDO AND IO/UNP JJ FITZGERALD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EWWT KCRM KCRS KJUS PHSA PREL NL SO XA XW
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/SOMALIA: IMPLEMENTATION OF UNSCR 1816

REF: STATE 74305

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY.

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000607

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FOR AF/RSA JUN BANDO AND IO/UNP JJ FITZGERALD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EWWT KCRM KCRS KJUS PHSA PREL NL SO XA XW
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/SOMALIA: IMPLEMENTATION OF UNSCR 1816

REF: STATE 74305

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY.


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On July 15, Poloffs discussed reftel points
with Bob Aal, Dutch MFA Security Policy Department contact
for Africa. At the request of the UN, the Dutch protected
humanitarian aid convoys to Somalia this spring, but for the
moment the Dutch are following the EU lead on responding to
piracy and UNSCR 1816. The Dutch have prepared new
procedures to respond to requests from threatened
Dutch-flagged vessels. END SUMMARY


2. (SBU) DUTCH SUPPORT MULTILATERAL RESPONSE TO PIRACY: Aal
noted that the protection of humanitarian aid from piracy has
strong support in the Dutch parliament, and that the previous
three-month escort mission by the Dutch frigate HMS Eversen
this spring was very successful, delivering 43 tons of food
aid. The Dutch had found it easy to respond given the
request of the United Nations, World Food Programme, and
International Maritime Organization for escort support. With
regard to implementation of UNSCR 1816, however, the
Netherlands, internal deliberations are just beginning. Our
"direction is unclear." The Dutch are looking for EU
leadership on this issue. EU High Representative Javier
Solana presented a paper last week that outlined options for
responding to piracy, ranging from ESDP formal arrangements
to informal coalitions of the willing. The EU discussions on
the rule of law and treatment of detained pirates "are just
starting." The response on detainees, jurisdiction issues,
and asylum seekers would likely be left to individual EU
states. Overall, the Dutch have signaled their willingness
to the EU to work on this issue.


3. (SBU) RESPONDING TO HIJACKING OF DUTCH-FLAGGED VESSELS:
On July 11, the Dutch cabinet adopted a contingency plan for
responding to piracy against Dutch-flagged vessels. The
cabinet approved a proposal by Transportation Minister
Huizinga to designate a single office in her ministry to
respond to Dutch shipping companies requesting aid. Huizinga
will lead an inter-agency effort to elaborate on the
contingency. The cabinet,s decision responds to the May 26
hijacking of the MV Amiya Scan, a Dutch owned ship, off the
coast of Somalia. The Amiya Scan was eventually released on
June 25 after the owners had paid a ransom to the pirates.
Gallagher