Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09THEHAGUE33
2009-01-14 15:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
NETHERLANDS/GEORGIA: INCLINED TO SUPPORT U.S. "WAY
how-toVZCZCXYZ0008 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHTC #0033 0141545 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 141545Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2420 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHAD/AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI IMMEDIATE 0183 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING IMMEDIATE 2058 RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KYIV IMMEDIATE 0456 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI IMMEDIATE 0640 RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH IMMEDIATE 0385 RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI IMMEDIATE 0173 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO IMMEDIATE 1817
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000033
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/14/2019
TAGS: PREL GG RU NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/GEORGIA: INCLINED TO SUPPORT U.S. "WAY
FORWARD"
REF: A. SECSTATE 134559
B. THE HAGUE 971
C. THE HAGUE 957
Classified By: Political & Economic Affairs Counselor Andrew C. Mann
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000033
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/14/2019
TAGS: PREL GG RU NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/GEORGIA: INCLINED TO SUPPORT U.S. "WAY
FORWARD"
REF: A. SECSTATE 134559
B. THE HAGUE 971
C. THE HAGUE 957
Classified By: Political & Economic Affairs Counselor Andrew C. Mann
1. (C) SUMMARY: The Dutch are inclined to support the U.S.
proposal of "carrots and sticks" to encourage separatist
regions in Georgia to give up their aspirations of
independence. However, the West's first goal should be
restoring international access to the regions and addressing
any humanitarian concerns there. The Dutch report an
altercation between President Saakashvili and PM. Upcoming
visits and events could put Georgia in the Dutch spotlight.
END SUMMARY.
2. (C) Deputy for Political Affairs raised reftel A points
with Hugo Klijn, Dutch MFA Chief of the Eastern Europe and
Central Asia Division. Klijn said he thought the Dutch might
be willing to support initiatives -- including sticks and
carrots -- to encourage the separatist regions to remain
within Georgia. Such an initiative should not derail the
Geneva process. In addition, the international community
should craft "smart sanctions" to focus on individuals. The
EU would probably support such sanctions. However, general
restrictions on the population could backfire -- it would be
easy to "lose a propaganda war" on this point. Nonetheless,
"the status quo is not satisfying," and the Geneva process
will be "protracted."
3. (C) The primary concern for the Dutch is pushing for
international observers and for addressing the humanitarian
situation in the separatist regions. "They're now a no man's
land," said Klijn, and "we don't know what's happening
there." Klin doubted Russia was addressing the social needs
of the people in the region and is also "not convinced" that
Russia adheres to the "responsibility to protect." Klijn
wants to convince Georgia, Russia, and the separatist regions
to accept an international presence.
4. (C) Klijn heard that President Saakashvili "threw
something" at the PM, and wondered whether Mgaloblishvili's
current trip to Germany for medical treatment was related to
that assault. The Georgian speaker of the parliament is also
reportedly seeking medical attention. (Comment: Klijn
appeared to be seeking confirmation and hinting at underlying
political tensions. End comment.)
5. (C) The Dutch parliament and press may focus on Georgia
in the weeks ahead. During the week of January 19, a few
members of the Georgian parliament will visit The Hague and
see MFA Deputy Director General De Groot. FM Verhagen will
visit Georgia on February 11-12 (Klijn offered to ask the FM
to deliver a message on behalf of the U.S.). The family of
the Dutch filmmaker killed during the Russian invasion may
publicly press the Dutch government to take legal action.
CULBERTSON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/14/2019
TAGS: PREL GG RU NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/GEORGIA: INCLINED TO SUPPORT U.S. "WAY
FORWARD"
REF: A. SECSTATE 134559
B. THE HAGUE 971
C. THE HAGUE 957
Classified By: Political & Economic Affairs Counselor Andrew C. Mann
1. (C) SUMMARY: The Dutch are inclined to support the U.S.
proposal of "carrots and sticks" to encourage separatist
regions in Georgia to give up their aspirations of
independence. However, the West's first goal should be
restoring international access to the regions and addressing
any humanitarian concerns there. The Dutch report an
altercation between President Saakashvili and PM. Upcoming
visits and events could put Georgia in the Dutch spotlight.
END SUMMARY.
2. (C) Deputy for Political Affairs raised reftel A points
with Hugo Klijn, Dutch MFA Chief of the Eastern Europe and
Central Asia Division. Klijn said he thought the Dutch might
be willing to support initiatives -- including sticks and
carrots -- to encourage the separatist regions to remain
within Georgia. Such an initiative should not derail the
Geneva process. In addition, the international community
should craft "smart sanctions" to focus on individuals. The
EU would probably support such sanctions. However, general
restrictions on the population could backfire -- it would be
easy to "lose a propaganda war" on this point. Nonetheless,
"the status quo is not satisfying," and the Geneva process
will be "protracted."
3. (C) The primary concern for the Dutch is pushing for
international observers and for addressing the humanitarian
situation in the separatist regions. "They're now a no man's
land," said Klijn, and "we don't know what's happening
there." Klin doubted Russia was addressing the social needs
of the people in the region and is also "not convinced" that
Russia adheres to the "responsibility to protect." Klijn
wants to convince Georgia, Russia, and the separatist regions
to accept an international presence.
4. (C) Klijn heard that President Saakashvili "threw
something" at the PM, and wondered whether Mgaloblishvili's
current trip to Germany for medical treatment was related to
that assault. The Georgian speaker of the parliament is also
reportedly seeking medical attention. (Comment: Klijn
appeared to be seeking confirmation and hinting at underlying
political tensions. End comment.)
5. (C) The Dutch parliament and press may focus on Georgia
in the weeks ahead. During the week of January 19, a few
members of the Georgian parliament will visit The Hague and
see MFA Deputy Director General De Groot. FM Verhagen will
visit Georgia on February 11-12 (Klijn offered to ask the FM
to deliver a message on behalf of the U.S.). The family of
the Dutch filmmaker killed during the Russian invasion may
publicly press the Dutch government to take legal action.
CULBERTSON