C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000135

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/24/2019
TAGS: PREL EU AF NL ZL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/EU: VIEWS ON FEBRUARY GAERC

REF: A. THE HAGUE 118

B. THE HAGUE 116

C. FALLS-GIAUQUE EMAIL 2-17-09

D. THE HAGUE 54

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


1. (U) Summary: The Dutch MFA reviewed the GAERC agenda for
February 23-34, including Afghanistan, the Middle East,
Sudan, the EU's Eastern Partnership, the Western Balkans, and
the economic crisis. Dutch plans for the March 2 Middle East
conference are covered in reftel A, and Dutch views on the EU
response to the economic crisis are reported in reftel B. FM
Verhagen's letter to parliament on the GAERC agenda was
reported in ref C. End Summary.


2. (U) Afghanistan: In a February 20 briefing for non-EU
allies, EU Deputy Correspondent Rochus Pronk stated that
Verhagen intends to appeal for more investments for EUPOL,
noting the Netherlands has doubled its investments. Verhagen
also will discuss PM Balkenende's recent visit to
Afghanistan, where he supported programs and policies that
promote good governance, anti-corruption, fair elections, and
improved GOA security efforts. EU ministers are expected to
discuss U.S. policy developments.


3. (SBU) Middle East: FM Verhagen will support a political
message to all parties that they should make concessions.
Verhagen told the Dutch parliament publicly that he will
support efforts to reduce maritime arms smuggling to Gaza.
Also, the Dutch-Danish proposal to revive the EU border
mission in Gaza is "still on the table." (Note: A Dutch
newspaper reported the Government of Egypt was not receptive
to the Dutch plan. The Dutch MFA informed Embassy the Hague
that Verhagen's Egyptian counterpart responded positively
during discussions with the Dutch. End note.)


4. (U) Sudan: The EU is unlikely to take up Sudan unless the
International Criminal Court (ICC) takes action. The Dutch
support ICC action, and especially the ICC's independence,
despite the possible impact on peace negotiations in Sudan.
The Dutch would oppose an Article 16 procedure at the UNSC to
delay ICC action and believe the international community
should remind Sudan of its obligation to cooperate with the
ICC.


5. (U) Eastern Partnership: The Dutch strongly support this
partnership to build relations with the EU's neighbors but
want to ensure the partnership does not become a signal of
future EU membership. "Don't create false expectations."
Belarus should not qualify for the partnership, given its
record on democracy and human rights.


6. (C) Western Balkans: In Bosnia, the process of reform has
been slow. The Dutch support the "5 2" conditions for
closing the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia, and
wants to ensure the EU mission there has a strong mandate.
The Dutch have no preference on a new High Representative.
On Serbia, the Dutch remain opposed to a fact-finding mission
to consider Serbia's cooperation with the International
Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). "The
ICTY prosecutor's decision should be determinative." A
fact-finding mission would undermine the prosecutor. The
Dutch say the French and Czech presidencies, along with the
support of Belgrade, supported the idea of a fact-finding
mission to assess ICTY cooperation. The Germans joined the
Dutch in supporting ICTY independence/authority, but the
Germans also want to get a conclusion on the issue.


7. (C) On Montenegro, the GAERC agreed to postpone until
March whether to ask the EU Commission for an opinion on
QMarch whether to ask the EU Commission for an opinion on
Montenegro. The Dutch believe asking the EU Commission for
an opinion on Montegro's application would be a premature
"political decision." The Dutch argue that further reforms
are needed in Montenegro. Minister for European Cooperation
Timmermans made the point that the Netherlands supports EU
enlargement, but the EU should stick to its criteria. The
Germans support the Dutch but a "large majority" of EU
members, as well as the Commission, believe the decision is
technical rather than political, and therefore support the
request for an opinion. It's unclear whether the EU's rules
would allow the Netherlands to block the request.
GALLAGHER