NETHERLANDS/IRAN: SANCTIONS AND ENGAGEMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000623

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2018
TAGS: PREL PHUM EU UN NL IR
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/IRAN: SANCTIONS AND ENGAGEMENT

REF: THE HAGUE 552

Classified By: Political Economic Counselor Andrew C. Mann for reasons
1.5(b,d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: The Dutch expect an insufficient Iranian
response to the P5 1 proposal and the international community
will need to move forward with additional multilateral
sanctions. The Dutch continue to engage Iran on human rights
despite strong differences of opinion within the Dutch
government. The Dutch support expanded U.S. engagement with
Iran, in formal and informal settings. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) SUPPORTING SANCTIONS: On July 22, Political Economic
Counselor reviewed Iran issues with Dutch MFA officials
Herman Quarles, head of the Gulf State division, Loek ten
Hagen, Iran desk, and Huib Mijnarends, terrorism and new
threats division. Quarles was not optimistic that Iran would
respond positively to the latest P5 1 package, and the Dutch
support preparations for additional sanctions. Iran's
written response was "not encouraging," did "not respond to
the urgency" of the international community, and appeared "to
continue with delay tactics." (Note: Quarles noted wryly
that he had just received the "secret" Iran message handed to
the P5 1 representatives in Geneva but had also read excerpts
in the International Herald Tribune. End note.) FM Verhagen
continues to support a robust response, but within the
Netherlands that's not always easy, as his "strong approach
meets 'nuances' from other ministries." At the EU, the Dutch
are hoping for "contingency" work on sanctions in case the
Iranians do not respond favorably. However, the EU will only
receive a briefing from High Representative Solana at the
July 22-23 GAERC, with no recommendation for possible next
steps. Regarding EU negotiations to implement UNSC
resolution 1803, there is a "gap" on export credit financing,
with some countries opposed to going beyond UNSC 1803. Dual
use issues appear to be addressed. The Dutch are proposing
an alternative to an EU "Financial Intelligence Unit," which
is supported by some countries. At the IAEA, the Dutch were
disappointed the Board of Governors (BoG) did not adopt a
resolution based on DG El Baradei's last report. The Dutch
support a resolution at the next BoG meeting. At the UN, the
Dutch would welcome details on U.S. planning for the next
sanctions resolution.


3. (C) PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS: Quarles noted that addressing
human rights in Iran remains a priority for the Netherlands.
The Dutch see working through the EU as most effective. They
do have their bilateral issues/programs though. The Dutch
expect Iranian-Dutch national Al Mansouri to receive the
death penalty. The Dutch have not received further updates
since the Iranians told them months ago that Al Mansouri's
sentence was "imminent," but they expect the "Iranian
authorities will use this case in a tactical sense" whenever
they can. At the same time, Iranian FM Mottaki's wife, who
serves as a director general-level adviser on human rights
and women's issues, is considering a Dutch invitation to
visit the Netherlands. The Dutch support media diversity in
Iran through its human rights program, with a total of 4-5
million euros annually. The Dutch have also supported
training for Iranian judges.


4. (C) SUPPORTING U.S.-IRAN DISCUSSIONS: The Dutch support
formal and informal engagement with Iran by the United
States. Quarles described U/S Burns' participation in the
Geneva Iran-P5 1 meeting as a "very positive development."
Dutch contacts with Germany, France and Britain all reported
that Iranian FM Mottaki "reacted with great surprise" to
Secretary Rice's signature on the P5 1 letter. In Quarles'
view, adding a U.S. participant to the meetings in Tehran
would have had an "exponentially greater impact." On an
informal level, there will be another Pugwash meeting in The
Hague on August 2-3 (tentative dates). The Dutch readout of
the previous meeting was that "little was accomplished," but
the Dutch support such meetings that are "out of the
spotlight." The Iranian ambassador in the Netherlands told
the Dutch MFA he will invite: Mr. Samareh Hashemi, Senior
Advisor to the President, Mr. Safari, Deputy Foreign Minister
for European Affairs, Mr. Bagheri, Deputy Secretary of Iran's
Supreme National Security Council, Mr. Dolatyr, DG for
Western Europe at the MFA, and Mr. Saeedi, deputy president
of Iran's atomic energy organization. Ten Hagen wasn't sure
the list was realistic given the short time frame. More
generally, Dutch MFA Political Director De Gooijer told the
Iranian ambassador that the Dutch could support bilateral
meetings between Iranian and American legislators in the
Netherlands.
Gallagher