NETHERLANDS/GUANTANAMO: UNLIKELY TO ACCEPT

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000920

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PTER PHUM KAWK KISL KPAO NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/GUANTANAMO: UNLIKELY TO ACCEPT
DETAINEE WITHOUT OVERALL SOLUTION

REF: A. SECSTATE 106853

B. 07 THE HAGUE 592

C. 05 THE HAGUE 2444

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


1. (C) SUMMARY: The Dutch are not likely to accept a
Guantanamo detainee without an overall solution to close the
prison, but they are considering ways to assist the United
States when that time comes. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Asked about accepting reftel A detainee, Peter Potman,
MFA Deputy Director for North America, told POLOFF on October
31 that the Dutch foreign ministry had not moved beyond its
previous policy, explained by former human rights ambassador
De Klerk, of refusing to accept any detainees unless there is
a final plan for closing Guantanamo. Potman noted it was
hard to explain why the Dutch should accept the detainee if
the United States would not.


3. (C) At the same time, MFA Deputy Political Director Robert
De Groot told the DCM October 28 that "we are already
thinking" about Guantanamo's closure, and considering
possibly providing some relocation assistance. De Groot
admitted the Europeans will need to decide how they can help.
Potman noted the Dutch are aware of the commitment by both
presidential candidates to close the prison. Potman also
said that the Dutch are starting to work "on an initiative"
to respond to the new president's possible new detention
policy. In Potman's view, the new U.S. president "would be
wise" to move "boldly and quickly" to regain the moral high
ground. Such an effort would make it easier for Europe to
respond positively. Potman promised to circulate reftel A
information internally as the Dutch look at next steps.
CULBERTSON