INVITATION TO ATTEND U.S. EMBASSY THE HAGUE-HOSTED

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000329 SIPDIS STATE FOR ISN/WMDT (JWYSS) E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2019 TAGS: MARR MNUC PARM TRGY KRAD NL SUBJECT: INVITATION TO ATTEND U.S. EMBASSY THE HAGUE-HOSTED U.S. NUCLEAR WEAPONS ACCIDENT RESPONSE EXERCISE Classified By: Andrew Mann, POL-ECON Counselor, for reasons 1.4 (a) and (d) ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: U.S. Embassy The Hague is conducting a tabletop exercise (TTX) on July 14th, 2009 with the primary goal of training Post's Emergency Action Committee (EAC) in the procedures and expectations following a simulated U.S. nuclear accident on Dutch soil. Post invites addressee posts to send observers to this training event. The Netherlands has both a signed accident response agreement and a fully-developed joint U.S.-Dutch operations plan for such an event. Post believes that the TTX will provide an interesting and useful training opportunity. END SUMMARY. BACKGROUND -------------- ¶2. (C) The Department of State is tasked with primary responsibility for coordinating the U.S. response with partner nations in the event of an accident, serious incident, or loss of custody of a U.S. nuclear weapon in another country. In the Netherlands, Post participates in biannual meetings of the Netherlands-United States Operations Group (NUSOG); a coordinating body established to develop and manage U.S. nuclear weapons accident response plans, procedures, training, and exercises. The NUSOG succeeded in developing an Implementing Joint Operational Plan (IJOP) for accident response in 2003. ¶3. (SBU) Complementing robust bilateral cooperation via the NUSOG, Embassy The Hague will hold a U.S.-only TTX to train Post,s EAC to respond to a low-probability, high-consequence event. Post recognizes that this training opportunity may be of interest to U.S. Embassy personnel from other nations and would like to invite representatives to observe the proceedings. Post will host a discussion session following the exercise to further explore host nation coordination and cooperation issues and strategies. EXERCISE DETAILS -------------- ¶4. (U) The TTX will be held on July 14, 2009 at U.S. Embassy The Hague - Lange Voorhout 102, 2514 EJ The Hague. Due to space constraints, Post requests that no more than two representatives from each U.S. Embassy attend. Please RSVP prior to June 24. Additional information regarding travel and lodging arrangements will be distributed to confirmed attendees by June 30. ¶5. (U) Point of Contact for RSVP and further information is Denny Merideth, Pol-Mil Officer, 31-70-310-2346, MeridethDJ@state.gov. GALLAGHER