NETHERLANDS/IRAQ: NOT ENTHUSIASTIC ON CURRENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000827 SIPDIS EUR/RPM FOR RAPHAEL CARLAND AND SCA/A FOR TOM REOTT E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2018 TAGS: AF MARR MOPS NATO PREL NL SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/IRAQ: NOT ENTHUSIASTIC ON CURRENT CIV-MIL CONCEPT REF: STATE 85097 Classified By: Classified By: Political Officer Eric Falls for reasons 1.5(b,d) (C) The Dutch regard civil-military operations as highly important but are not enthusiastic on the current civil-military concept for RC-South. Pol-Mil Officer delivered reftel points on September 19 to Maarten Boef, Task Force Uruzgan Coordinator in the Security Policy Department, in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Boef expressed Dutch appreciation for the modifications to the concept based upon previous inputs by allies. The Dutch continue to emphasize civilian projects and the need for close coordination. However, Boef expressed a concern that the proposed civ-mil cell was an administrative layer that may not add significantly to the overall success of the mission. Both the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are coordinating on how best to implement the cell when the Dutch assume command of RC-South. He added that the Dutch would not be able to fill a civilian position in the cell by the November target date. Culbertson