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