NETHERLANDS/BOLIVIA: UNCERTAIN IF BOLIVIA TAKES

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000953 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2018 TAGS: KDEM PGOV PREL SNAR EAID NL BL SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/BOLIVIA: UNCERTAIN IF BOLIVIA TAKES DRUG WAR SERIOUSLY REF: A. SECSTATE 118934 ¶B. ROCHA-FALLS EMAIL 10-29-08 Classified By: Political Officer Eric Falls for reasons 1.5(b,d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The Dutch note that it's "difficult to assess" whether Bolivia takes combating drugs seriously. The Dutch provide significant assistance to Bolivia and are concerned about the domestic political situation. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) On November 13, embassy shared reftel A points with key MFA contacts. Senior Policy Officer Joke Zuidwijk noted the Dutch had also received Embassy La Paz's briefing on the DEA expulsion. Zuidwijk said the GOB claims they take the counternarcotics situation seriously, but it's hard to assess the true commitment. However, the Bolivians have reportedly asked the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) for funding to compensate for the loss of U.S. assistance. At the same time, Zuidwijk noted that the European Commission study of Bolivian demand for coca for traditional uses such as tea -- which might be useful for setting cultivation limits -- has not started, due to "the lack of political will" on the part of the Bolivians. ¶3. (C) The Dutch are struggling to boost law enforcement capacity building in Bolivia but lack police capacity in their own embassies, with the nearest Dutch police liaison working from Bogota. Zuidwijk will review Dutch aid in a visit to La Paz this month. Development Cooperation Minister Koenders will visit La Paz in February 2009. Bolivia is a "partner country" targeted for significant aid, which totals 25-30 million euros annually. ¶4. (C) In an earlier conversation, Laurent Stokvis, MFA Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs, said the Dutch are very concerned about the political situation in Bolivia and believe "talks are not progressing." They are concerned that the USG,s relations with Bolivia, as well as our counter narcotics policy, may make it difficult for us to help cool things down. Post shared ref B points clarifying U.S. drug policy. CULBERTSON