Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08THEHAGUE988
2008-11-28 10:08:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
NETHERLANDS/PAKISTAN: EXPECTING AID DECISION SOON
how-toVZCZCXRO1402 RR RUEHAG RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHTC #0988 3331008 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 281008Z NOV 08 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2279 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 0692 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2056 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 2776 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1042 RUEHKL/AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR 0185 RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 5225 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 1412 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1814 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 0346
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000988
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/25/2018
TAGS: PREL EAID ECON EFIN NL PK
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/PAKISTAN: EXPECTING AID DECISION SOON
REF: A. GIAQUE GAERC EMAIL 11-25-08
B. SECSTATE 124618
C. FALLS-SCA-PAKISTAN EMAIL 9-29-08
D. THE HAGUE 340
Classified By: Political Deputy Eric Falls for reasons 1.5(b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000988
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/25/2018
TAGS: PREL EAID ECON EFIN NL PK
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/PAKISTAN: EXPECTING AID DECISION SOON
REF: A. GIAQUE GAERC EMAIL 11-25-08
B. SECSTATE 124618
C. FALLS-SCA-PAKISTAN EMAIL 9-29-08
D. THE HAGUE 340
Classified By: Political Deputy Eric Falls for reasons 1.5(b,d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: The Dutch expect to offer 112 million euros
in Pakistan development aid over the next three years, in
support of education, environment and governance initiatives.
Funding is limited primarily by Dutch capacity to oversee
the aid programs. The Dutch will work quickly to determine
whether minister-level participation in the proposed Pakistan
donors conference is possible. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) On November 26, econoff and POLOFF reviewed ref A & B
points with Harry van Dijk, head of the MFA South Asia
division, Hans Wesseling, Deputy Director of the MFA,s newly
formed Fragile States unit, and Louise Huijbens, policy
adviser on Pakistan. Van Dijk said he would soon seek formal
approval for 112 million euros in aid to Pakistan over three
years. Minister Koenders has approved the funding "in
principle." The upcoming donor conference gives Van Dijk
impetus to push for a final decision this week. (Note:
Koenders previously held up Pakistan funding based on human
rights concerns, and because of domestic political concerns,
per ref C & D. End note.).
3. (C) Van Dijk stated funding is limited primarily due to
Dutch "capacity." The Dutch recently made Islamabad a
"non-family" posting and so is restaffing the embassy. In
addition, the embassy is now in temporary quarters. Van Dijk
expects to see full staffing and a "semi-permanent" embassy
by the summer of 2009. Van Dijk noted the embassy is
currently staffed by 15 people, including 11 Dutch nationals.
In addition, Van Dijk noted the Dutch are limited by the
number of decent program opportunities for aid funds -- he
added that we "won't be looking at more money than 112
million. We'll be happy if we can spend that (much) wisely."
Finally, resuming aid to Pakistan carries a "political risk"
for the Dutch government. The parliament has asked multiple
questions about the reported U.S. strikes in the border
region, on the merits of aid to Pakistan vice Afghanistan,
and on the virtues of foreign aid generally. However, Van
Dijk was "pleasantly surprised" by the work of Pakistan
President Zardari. He said the EU also appears encouraged by
the stated intentions of Zardari,s government.
4. (SBU) Regarding the idea of a mid-December Pakistan donors
conference, Van Dijk and Wesseling both support the proposal
and will try to convince either Koenders or Foreign Minister
Verhagen to attend. However, they cautioned that, given the
extremely short notice, both ministers already had full
agendas during the proposed conference date.
CULBERTSON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/25/2018
TAGS: PREL EAID ECON EFIN NL PK
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/PAKISTAN: EXPECTING AID DECISION SOON
REF: A. GIAQUE GAERC EMAIL 11-25-08
B. SECSTATE 124618
C. FALLS-SCA-PAKISTAN EMAIL 9-29-08
D. THE HAGUE 340
Classified By: Political Deputy Eric Falls for reasons 1.5(b,d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: The Dutch expect to offer 112 million euros
in Pakistan development aid over the next three years, in
support of education, environment and governance initiatives.
Funding is limited primarily by Dutch capacity to oversee
the aid programs. The Dutch will work quickly to determine
whether minister-level participation in the proposed Pakistan
donors conference is possible. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) On November 26, econoff and POLOFF reviewed ref A & B
points with Harry van Dijk, head of the MFA South Asia
division, Hans Wesseling, Deputy Director of the MFA,s newly
formed Fragile States unit, and Louise Huijbens, policy
adviser on Pakistan. Van Dijk said he would soon seek formal
approval for 112 million euros in aid to Pakistan over three
years. Minister Koenders has approved the funding "in
principle." The upcoming donor conference gives Van Dijk
impetus to push for a final decision this week. (Note:
Koenders previously held up Pakistan funding based on human
rights concerns, and because of domestic political concerns,
per ref C & D. End note.).
3. (C) Van Dijk stated funding is limited primarily due to
Dutch "capacity." The Dutch recently made Islamabad a
"non-family" posting and so is restaffing the embassy. In
addition, the embassy is now in temporary quarters. Van Dijk
expects to see full staffing and a "semi-permanent" embassy
by the summer of 2009. Van Dijk noted the embassy is
currently staffed by 15 people, including 11 Dutch nationals.
In addition, Van Dijk noted the Dutch are limited by the
number of decent program opportunities for aid funds -- he
added that we "won't be looking at more money than 112
million. We'll be happy if we can spend that (much) wisely."
Finally, resuming aid to Pakistan carries a "political risk"
for the Dutch government. The parliament has asked multiple
questions about the reported U.S. strikes in the border
region, on the merits of aid to Pakistan vice Afghanistan,
and on the virtues of foreign aid generally. However, Van
Dijk was "pleasantly surprised" by the work of Pakistan
President Zardari. He said the EU also appears encouraged by
the stated intentions of Zardari,s government.
4. (SBU) Regarding the idea of a mid-December Pakistan donors
conference, Van Dijk and Wesseling both support the proposal
and will try to convince either Koenders or Foreign Minister
Verhagen to attend. However, they cautioned that, given the
extremely short notice, both ministers already had full
agendas during the proposed conference date.
CULBERTSON