Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09THEHAGUE174
2009-03-11 17:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
NETHERLANDS/SYRIA: EU ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT
how-toVZCZCXRO6715 RR RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHTC #0174 0701717 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 111717Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2654 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS 0341 RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0176 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 4552
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000174
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/10/2019
TAGS: PREL EU SY NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/SYRIA: EU ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT
UNLIKELY
REF: A. SECSTATE 20919
B. THE HAGUE 35
C. 08 THE HAGUE 927
Classified By: Political-Economic Affairs Counselor Andrew C. Mann for
reasons 1.5(b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000174
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/10/2019
TAGS: PREL EU SY NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/SYRIA: EU ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT
UNLIKELY
REF: A. SECSTATE 20919
B. THE HAGUE 35
C. 08 THE HAGUE 927
Classified By: Political-Economic Affairs Counselor Andrew C. Mann for
reasons 1.5(b,d)
1. (C) Summary: The Dutch welcomed recent U.S. meetings in
Syria. They agree an EU association agreement with Syria is
inappropriate at this time and believe the EU is unlikely to
approve such an agreement in the near term. End summary.
2. (C) Poloff shared reftel A points with key MFA contacts,
and MFA Senior Policy Adviser Peter van der Bloemen responded
that the Dutch welcome the recent U.S.-Syria meetings. The
Dutch believe it is important to maintain open communications
as part of their "critical dialogue" approach they follow
with countries such as Syria, Cuba, and China. The Dutch
agree with and support the idea of a unified EU policy in
Syria -- the Syrians will take advantage of splits within the
EU and any split between EU and U.S. policy. The Dutch also
welcome the U.S. position against any deal on the Lebanon
tribunal -- a "key" issue for the Dutch. The Dutch welcome
a further debrief from U.S. officials on the March 7
bilateral meetings in Damascus. The Dutch see the U.S. as
critical to any peace agreement with Syria due to Syria's
security concerns -- the Syrians see the U.S. both as more of
a military heavyweight than the EU and as key to influencing
Israel decision-making.
3. (C) The Dutch are unlikely to support an EU-Syria
association agreement at this time. FM Verhagen told D/PM
Dardari in October that the Dutch would "need a gesture" on
human rights, for example. The Dutch have encouraged the
Syrians to make some progress on issues of concern -- human
rights or relations with Lebanon. FM Verhagen is not ready
to give up the carrot of an EU association agreement. The
Dutch parliament would not likely approve the agreement at
any rate. Verhagen's message to the EU will be that "the
ball is in Syria's court."
4. (C) Van der Bloemen believes an EU association agreement
is unlikely. Although President Assad has made some positive
statements in support of an "agreement," he did not express
support for a "peace agreement." Moreover, his statements
and the Syrian rallies during the most recent Gaza conflict
were not helpful. The Dutch do not expect Syria will make an
overture that will win over the EU in the near term. Within
the EU, the British and the Czechs support the Dutch position
that concrete steps are needed before approval of an
association agreement.
GALLAGHER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/10/2019
TAGS: PREL EU SY NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/SYRIA: EU ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT
UNLIKELY
REF: A. SECSTATE 20919
B. THE HAGUE 35
C. 08 THE HAGUE 927
Classified By: Political-Economic Affairs Counselor Andrew C. Mann for
reasons 1.5(b,d)
1. (C) Summary: The Dutch welcomed recent U.S. meetings in
Syria. They agree an EU association agreement with Syria is
inappropriate at this time and believe the EU is unlikely to
approve such an agreement in the near term. End summary.
2. (C) Poloff shared reftel A points with key MFA contacts,
and MFA Senior Policy Adviser Peter van der Bloemen responded
that the Dutch welcome the recent U.S.-Syria meetings. The
Dutch believe it is important to maintain open communications
as part of their "critical dialogue" approach they follow
with countries such as Syria, Cuba, and China. The Dutch
agree with and support the idea of a unified EU policy in
Syria -- the Syrians will take advantage of splits within the
EU and any split between EU and U.S. policy. The Dutch also
welcome the U.S. position against any deal on the Lebanon
tribunal -- a "key" issue for the Dutch. The Dutch welcome
a further debrief from U.S. officials on the March 7
bilateral meetings in Damascus. The Dutch see the U.S. as
critical to any peace agreement with Syria due to Syria's
security concerns -- the Syrians see the U.S. both as more of
a military heavyweight than the EU and as key to influencing
Israel decision-making.
3. (C) The Dutch are unlikely to support an EU-Syria
association agreement at this time. FM Verhagen told D/PM
Dardari in October that the Dutch would "need a gesture" on
human rights, for example. The Dutch have encouraged the
Syrians to make some progress on issues of concern -- human
rights or relations with Lebanon. FM Verhagen is not ready
to give up the carrot of an EU association agreement. The
Dutch parliament would not likely approve the agreement at
any rate. Verhagen's message to the EU will be that "the
ball is in Syria's court."
4. (C) Van der Bloemen believes an EU association agreement
is unlikely. Although President Assad has made some positive
statements in support of an "agreement," he did not express
support for a "peace agreement." Moreover, his statements
and the Syrian rallies during the most recent Gaza conflict
were not helpful. The Dutch do not expect Syria will make an
overture that will win over the EU in the near term. Within
the EU, the British and the Czechs support the Dutch position
that concrete steps are needed before approval of an
association agreement.
GALLAGHER