Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08THEHAGUE868
2008-10-16 16:06:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
NETHERLANDS/VENEZUELA: RESTRICTIONS ON ARMS EXPORTS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHTC #0868 2901606 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 161606Z OCT 08 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2105 INFO RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 0681 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS 0656
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000868
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2018
TAGS: PREL PARM PHUM ETTC NL VE
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/VENEZUELA: RESTRICTIONS ON ARMS EXPORTS
REF: A. THE HAGUE 631
B. THE HAGUE 510
Classified By: Political Officer Eric Falls for reasons 1.5(b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000868
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2018
TAGS: PREL PARM PHUM ETTC NL VE
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/VENEZUELA: RESTRICTIONS ON ARMS EXPORTS
REF: A. THE HAGUE 631
B. THE HAGUE 510
Classified By: Political Officer Eric Falls for reasons 1.5(b,d)
1. (SBU) The Dutch are looking "very critically" at new
requests for arms from Venezuela.
2. (C) On October 15, MFA Western Hemisphere Affairs Director
Stokvis, Venezuela Desk Officer Engelberts, and Security
Affairs policy officer Wolters briefed POLOFF on current
Dutch policy toward arms shipments to Venezuela. The Dutch
addressed a September 2008 Dutch newspaper article that
reported the Dutch had imposed an "embargo" on arms shipments
to Venezuela. Stokvis explained the article was incorrect --
an embargo would be legally impossible because the Dutch
cannot impose an embargo without a mandate from the EU or
UNSC.
3. (C) Wolters explained that the Dutch follow the EU code of
conduct on arms sales, which includes an eight criteria, such
as the types of articles to be shipped, the impact on human
rights, and the regional situation. All Dutch decisions an
arms sales are made on a case-by-case basis, with a
recommendation by the MFA to the Ministry of Economic Affairs
(MEA),and a final decision publicized on the MEA website.
In December 2007, FM Verhagen told parliament he would look
"very critically" at new Venezuelan requests for arms sales.
At the same time, the Dutch want to honor past commitments to
Venezuela. The Dutch are aware of Venezuela's large purchase
of Russian arms as well as other arms acquisitions, and the
potential impact on regional security. Most recently, the
Dutch refused a proposal to ship optical sensors to Venezuela.
4. (C) Asked about the Venezuelan reaction to the recent
Human Rights Watch report, Stokvis described the reaction as
"regrettable." The reaction is not doing the GOV "any good"
and is "adverse" to the GOV's "reputation in the region."
GALLAGHER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2018
TAGS: PREL PARM PHUM ETTC NL VE
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/VENEZUELA: RESTRICTIONS ON ARMS EXPORTS
REF: A. THE HAGUE 631
B. THE HAGUE 510
Classified By: Political Officer Eric Falls for reasons 1.5(b,d)
1. (SBU) The Dutch are looking "very critically" at new
requests for arms from Venezuela.
2. (C) On October 15, MFA Western Hemisphere Affairs Director
Stokvis, Venezuela Desk Officer Engelberts, and Security
Affairs policy officer Wolters briefed POLOFF on current
Dutch policy toward arms shipments to Venezuela. The Dutch
addressed a September 2008 Dutch newspaper article that
reported the Dutch had imposed an "embargo" on arms shipments
to Venezuela. Stokvis explained the article was incorrect --
an embargo would be legally impossible because the Dutch
cannot impose an embargo without a mandate from the EU or
UNSC.
3. (C) Wolters explained that the Dutch follow the EU code of
conduct on arms sales, which includes an eight criteria, such
as the types of articles to be shipped, the impact on human
rights, and the regional situation. All Dutch decisions an
arms sales are made on a case-by-case basis, with a
recommendation by the MFA to the Ministry of Economic Affairs
(MEA),and a final decision publicized on the MEA website.
In December 2007, FM Verhagen told parliament he would look
"very critically" at new Venezuelan requests for arms sales.
At the same time, the Dutch want to honor past commitments to
Venezuela. The Dutch are aware of Venezuela's large purchase
of Russian arms as well as other arms acquisitions, and the
potential impact on regional security. Most recently, the
Dutch refused a proposal to ship optical sensors to Venezuela.
4. (C) Asked about the Venezuelan reaction to the recent
Human Rights Watch report, Stokvis described the reaction as
"regrettable." The reaction is not doing the GOV "any good"
and is "adverse" to the GOV's "reputation in the region."
GALLAGHER