DUTCH PRESS FOR MORE AUSTRALIAN AID IN AFGHANISTAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000164

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/16/2019
TAGS: MARR PREL AS
SUBJECT: DUTCH PRESS FOR MORE AUSTRALIAN AID IN AFGHANISTAN

Classified By: Political Counselor James F. Cole for reasons 1.4(b) and
(d)


1. (C/NF) In meetings January 18-21 with Australian Prime
Minister Kevin Rudd and Foreign Minister Stephen Smith,
Netherlands Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen requested
Australia to provide a civilian political advisor in
Tarin Kowt, and to increase assistance to Oruzgan Province,
including sending more AusAID personnel, according to a
February 17 readout from Eric Strating, Deputy Head of
Mission, Embassy of the Netherlands in Canberra. PM Rudd
responded cautiously, expressing concern over security and
questioning FM Verhagen on details of living and security
conditions for Dutch aid workers. FM Verhagen offered
Australia the assistance of their political advisor from
Kabul in identifying program and logistical needs for
increasing Australian civilian assistance.


2. (C/NF) On other topics, FM Smith expressed interest in
Australia's becoming a member of the Asia Europe Meeting
(ASEM). Verhagen suggested he discuss membership with the
Asian states. In Indonesia, Verhagen proposed that Australia
work cooperatively with the Netherlands on the environment,
deforestation, law enforcement and human rights/rule of law.


3. (C/NF) Subsequent to the FM's visit, Strating returned to
The Hague where he learned that his Foreign Ministry
colleagues were markedly unenthusiastic about coordinating
with Australia on projects in Afghanistan. The lackluster
response, according to Strating, stems from Australian foot
dragging over construction of a new prison in Tarin Kowt. He
advised that Australia had been asked to assist in planning
and operating a new 250-person prison, since the Netherlands
had primary responsibility for handling prisoners in the
province, but Australia had not responded to numerous
entreaties to provide inputs. Strating noted the Netherlands
is disappointed in Australia's lack of participation, which
was characterized by FM Smith in the meetings as a
misunderstanding.


4. (C/NF) Strating confirmed that the Netherlands will
withdraw all combat forces from Afghanistan in 2010 as
planned. He reiterated that the Dutch public was strongly
opposed to its military's continued involvement in
Afghanistan. The Dutch FM and Defense Minister disagree,
however, over the issue of the numbers and duration of
non-combat military personnel. Strating indicated that the
Netherlands will likely continue its development work and
that some military forces would be needed to provide security
for that effort. Unlike Australia, he said the Netherlands
had no plans to provide additional security troops for the
upcoming elections.


5. (C/NF) Strating indicated both Foreign Ministers agreed
President Karzai has not provided adequate leadership. Until
an alternative leader to Karzai emerges, both countries will
continue to exert pressure on Karzai to reduce corruption in
his government. Strating cited a recent poll among Afghans
suggesting 80 percent will not vote for Karzai in the next
election.


6. (C/NF) Finally, Strating shared that Australia expressed
a preference to working with the Dutch in the PRT in Oruzgan
but suggested that Australian views may be more favorable to
the U.S. with the change in administrations.
Strating indicated that PM Rudd told FM Verhagen that
Australia will "never join" NATO and does not foresee any
involvement beyond Afghanistan.

CLUNE