NETHERLANDS/GAERC: DUTCH VIEWS ON THE MIDDLE EAST,

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000071 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL EU NL SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/GAERC: DUTCH VIEWS ON THE MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA, PAKISTAN REF: A. SECSTATE 7279 ¶B. THE HAGUE 42 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY. ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Post delivered reftel A points to key Dutch MFA contacts on January 24, 2008. On January 23, Dutch MFA Deputy EU Correspondent Rochus Pronk briefed EU diplomats and allies ahead of the January 28 GAERC, explaining Dutch views on the Middle East, Sudan, Kenya, and Pakistan. Pronk's comments on the Balkans will be reported septel. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) On the Middle East, the Dutch will share proposals to "broaden" Israel-Palestine relations. On Iran, the Dutch support more sanctions, in principle, "to send a clear signal." ¶3. (SBU) On Africa, the Dutch expect the GAERC will approve the ESDP mission to Chad. The Dutch are considering a contribution (reftel B). The Dutch are concerned about Sudan's appointment of a Janjaweed leader and support additional sanctions if the GOS does not cooperate with the international community. FM Verhagen and Development Cooperation Minister Koenders still intend to visit Khartoum February 4-5. Regarding Kenya, the Dutch are concerned about the risk of a "negative spiral." They continue to emphasize the importance of the democratic process and see the visit of EU representative Michel as "an important signal" that events in Kenya are not "business as usual." ¶4. (SBU) On Pakistan, the Dutch expect to contribute as many as eleven people to the election monitoring mission. The Dutch continue to emphasize the need for free elections and the release of political prisoners. They are waiting for details of the French proposal for an "eminent persons" group to promote dialogue. Schofer