NETHERLANDS/AFGHANISTAN: DUTCH SUPPORTIVE OF MOST

S E C R E T THE HAGUE 000238 SENSITIVE NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/09/2019 TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AF NL SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/AFGHANISTAN: DUTCH SUPPORTIVE OF MOST U.S. REQUESTS REF: A. SECSTATE 31102 ¶B. THE HAGUE 105 ¶C. THE HAGUE 92 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Michael F. Gallagher reasons 1.4 (b) a nd (d). ¶1. (U) THIS IS AN ACTION REQUEST. SEE PARAGRAPH 6. ¶2. (S/NF) Summary: The Dutch strongly appreciated U.S. support for the March 31 Afghanistan conference in The Hague. The Dutch can probably support most of the requests ("Afghanistan Asks") in reftel A, but the list should be presented as illustrative of what the GONL might undertake at the right time in the Government of the Netherlands decision process on post 2010 Afghanistan commitments. See para 6 for specific requests. End Summary. ¶3. (S/NF) Momentum from the Afghanistan Conference: Charge and polmiloff met with Deputy Director General for Political Affairs at the Dutch MFA, Robert De Groot, on April 9. He stated that PM Balkenende is very pleased with the success of The Hague Conference on Afghanistan and USG praise and appreciation of Dutch efforts in Afghanistan. De Groot expressed appreciation for Secretary Clinton's attention to the Dutch public during her attendance at the Afghanistan Conference and that the public "loved it." He stated that the Dutch can easily see the change in the approach of the administration and welcome the willingness to consult with their allies as well as a respect for U.S. efforts to broaden the civilian and development efforts in Afghanistan. ¶4. (S/NF) Delicate negotiations: FM Verhagen is now laying the groundwork within the cabinet on "where he wants to be." However, De Groot cautioned the Dai Kundi request could jeopardize his negotiations with coalition partners. He indicated -- without any firm commitment that the Dutch may be prepared to meet all requests from ref A with the exception of the new PRT in Dai Kundi, and with a reduced amount to the Afghanistan National Army Trust Fund. However, he suggested that if the demarche is delivered with the inclusion of the Dai Kundi request, it could significantly upset the balance that the FM has worked to gain consensus on commitments to Afghanistan. This could ultimately jeopardize the solid and significant commitments being worked by the FM. ¶5. (S/NF) Furthermore, timing of the Dutch decision to extend beyond 2010 is delicate. The Dutch Cabinet will likely take till the end of summer before reaching a final decision, which then must be debated in Parliament which will take till the end of the year. Thus a specific demarche, requesting a firm commitment now, would undermine FM's efforts to make significant contributions. It is expected that the best timing for the demarche will be within the next few weeks at a time that is integrated with Cabinet discussions. ¶6. (S/NF) ACTION REQUEST: Post requests permission from Washington to exclude the Dai Kundi request, and to present the list of actions at a date that will be supportive of the Dutch political efforts to maximize their commitments. GALLAGHER