NETHERLANDS: POTENTIAL TOPICS FOR PRESIDENT'S JULY

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 THE HAGUE 000398

SIPDIS

STATE PLEASE PASS TO NSC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/14/2019
TAGS: ENRG OVIP PHUM PREL RU NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: POTENTIAL TOPICS FOR PRESIDENT'S JULY
14 MEETING WITH DUTCH PRIME MINISTER - LAST OF THREE CABLES

REF: THE HAGUE 0395

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Michael F. Gallagher for reasons 1.4 (
b) and (d).


1. (SBU) Reftel provided some background on Prime Minister
Balkenende and the challenges he faces. The second cable
examined the four main topics likely to come up in your July
14 meeting. This cable concludes with short summaries on
other topics that might arise (energy security, human rights,
Russia, NATO, counter-piracy, and non-proliferation).

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Energy Security
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2. (SBU) As the EU,s largest net exporter of natural gas by
a wide margin, the Netherlands, energy position is unique.
Since its discovery in 1959, the giant Groningen gas field
(owned 50/50 by Shell and ExxonMobil) has largely funded the
Dutch welfare state. But the gas is forecast to run out by

2030. To remain an energy player after its own resources are
depleted, the Dutch government is patiently cultivating
energy relationships with Algeria, Kazakhstan, Libya, Qatar,
and -- most importantly -- Russia as long-term supplier
countries. For example, gas pipeline company Gasunie,
wholly-owned by the Dutch government, holds a 9 percent stake
in Gazprom,s Nord Stream pipeline, which will transport gas
from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea. The Dutch share
our commitment to enhancing Europe,s energy security through
diverse sources and supply routes. However, we would like
the Dutch to take on a more
prominent role within the EU to achieve these objectives.


3. (SBU) Balkenende is proud of his "Innovation Platform" (a
government-wide program to spur education, research and
innovation in the Netherlands),particularly as it supports
small and medium Dutch enterprises developing clean energy
technologies. He has praised the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act for directing so many resources to clean
energy. He shares the President's conviction that such
investments are essential to economic recovery and job
creation. In March 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy,s
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) signed a
memorandum of understanding with the Energy Research Center
of the Netherlands (ECN) to collaborate on renewable energy.
In April, NREL,s leading solar energy scientists visited ECN
to share expertise with Dutch counterparts. The President's
meeting with Balkenende presents an ideal opportunity to keep
up the momentum on these valuable exchanges.

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Human Rights
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4. (SBU) The Dutch are enthusiastic partners on human rights
issues. Secretary Clinton and FM Verhagen have discussed
jointly hosting an event during UNGA to highlight the threats
faced by girls worldwide and to prompt government action to
improve their welfare. The Dutch were thrilled at the U.S.
decision to join the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva,
where they are serving a second term. The Dutch are
particularly proud of serving as the "home of international
law" (Hugo Grotius' Mare Liberum was published 400 years ago
in 1609) and hosting many international legal institutions
such as the International Court of Justice, the Permanent
Court of Arbitration, the International Criminal Tribunal for
the former Yugoslavia, and International Criminal Court
(ICC). Strong ICC supporters, the Dutch anxiously await a
Q(ICC). Strong ICC supporters, the Dutch anxiously await a
signal from this Administration on its policy towards the
ICC.

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Russia
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5. (C) The Dutch are a partner in dealing with Russia on a
host of issues, because they strive for strong relations
while still being able to be critical of Russian actions.
Balkenende and President Medvedev reportedly "hit it off"
during the June 19 Russian state visit (long on atmospherics,
short on substance). The Dutch consider engagement a
priority and deem it important to develop friendly relations
with Russia, asserting that "good friends can tell each other

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the truth." Accordingly, Balkenende was straightforward with
Medvedev in expressing his concerns about human rights and
economic freedom in Russia. The Prime Minister will be
anxious to hear the President's point of view on dealing with
Russian leadership, from his recent trip to Moscow.
Balkenende made much of the fact he was able to speak to then
President Putin in German, and felt he had developed a strong
personal relationship with him. He is searching for a
similar connection with Medvedev. The Dutch also continue to
press for Russian answers on the death of a Dutch cameraman
in the August 2008 Georgian conflict. Despite these frank
discussions, Balkenende has been criticized by human rights
advocates for emphasizing business with Russia at the expense
of human rights. Dutch imports from Russia totaled USD 33
billion in 2007, second only to Germany, and exports to
Russia were USD 22 billion, third behind Germany and Italy.
The Russians are seeking cooperation with the Dutch on
sustainable energy production, use of nanotechnology, and
encouragement of business development for small and medium
enterprises. On the security front, the Dutch do not support
Russia,s overtures to establish a new security structure
within Europe, but they see the benefit of dialogue with
Russia as a tool to seek common ground and a way forward to
an enhanced relationship.

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NATO
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6. (C) The Dutch impact on NATO has been significant, and the
President's meeting is a good opportunity to encourage the
continued Dutch commitment. They have been quick to support
NATO missions with both assets and leadership: navy ships for
counter-piracy operations, multiple assets and command
structures in ISAF, and troops for the NATO Kosovo Force
(KFOR). Dutch combat experience in Afghanistan has increased
their self-confidence and clout within NATO. Outgoing NATO
Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (a former Dutch
Foreign Minister) has boosted Dutch involvement during the
past five years, and the President's choice for U.S.
Ambassador to NATO, Ivo Daalder, is a source of pride here
for his Dutch heritage. Allied Joint Forces Command
Brunsuum, which has the operational lead for the ISAF mission
in Afghanistan and the NATO Response Force (NRF),are located
in the south of the Netherlands. On NATO enlargement, the
Dutch have been cautious. They felt the alliance moved too
quickly on bringing in Romania and Bulgaria, where they
believed more reforms were necessary. They also opposed an
early extension of the Membership Action Plan (MAP) to the
Ukraine and Georgia. As with most countries in NATO, they
are searching for the best delineation of responsibilities
and commitments between NATO and the EU.

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Counter-Piracy
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7. (C) Dutch officials are active partners in the Contact
Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, and Dutch naval
frigates have joined the U.S. and other allies to patrol
pirate-plagued waters. In August, the Dutch will take
command of the EU operation Atalanta. On July 7, the Dutch
hosted a legal experts' meeting to review ideas for a
regional tribunal to prosecute pirates in the Horn of Africa.
Several countries including Norway, Germany and Russia
appear to support the Dutch idea, but France, the UK and U.S.
Qappear to support the Dutch idea, but France, the UK and U.S.
strongly oppose the idea of such a tribunal and have refused
to attend. The Dutch are also committed to addressing the
causes of piracy, including joblessness, lack of governance,
and limited rule of law

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Non-Proliferation
--------------


8. (S) The Dutch strongly subscribe to international
multi-lateral efforts to curb the spread of weapons and
materials of mass destruction. They have offered their
assistance for the 2010 NPT Conference (without being
specific) and have supported U.S. efforts to uphold the
Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, especially in the instance
of Iran. They are charter members of the Proliferation
Security Initiative (PSI),actively participate in the Global
Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (they hosted the June

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2009 Plenary Session in The Hague),and are members of the
G-8 Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and
Materials of Mass Destruction. The Netherlands backs U.S.
plans for missile defense, but have expressed disappointment
that the U.S. has taken a largely bilateral approach on this
issue. It would have liked to have seen the U.S. anchored
its European missile defense efforts in the NATO context.
The Dutch are also the host for the Organization for the
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

GALLAGHER