Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09THEHAGUE556
2009-09-14 15:57:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
NETHERLANDS: LOOKING FOR CFE GUIDANCE
how-toVZCZCXRO5083 RR RUEHSL DE RUEHTC #0556 2571557 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 141557Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3256 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1904 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 0452 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000556
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/13/2019
TAGS: KCFE PARM PREL NATO NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: LOOKING FOR CFE GUIDANCE
REF: SECSTATE 92528
Classified By: ACTING POLECON COUNSELOR SHAWN GRAY FOR REASONS 1.5(b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000556
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/13/2019
TAGS: KCFE PARM PREL NATO NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: LOOKING FOR CFE GUIDANCE
REF: SECSTATE 92528
Classified By: ACTING POLECON COUNSELOR SHAWN GRAY FOR REASONS 1.5(b,d)
1. (C) The Dutch welcome more information about U.S. plans to
resolve the impasse between Russia and the United States
regarding the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe
(CFE). PolDep shared reftel discussion points with Erica
Schouten, MFA Head of NATO Affairs, MFA Senior Policy Advisor
Rein Dekkers, and MOD Arms Control Advisor Otto Verberne.
Schouten asked for further details on the status of U.S.
parallel steps proposals; she understood that those steps
would be finalized in August.
2. (C) Schouten also noted the Netherlands welcomes the U.S.
proposal to broaden the participants in U.S.-Russia CFE
meetings. Such a step would be a useful confidence-building
measure for some nations in particular. However, the Dutch
have the impression that the large number of participants at
the July conference in Berlin was not what the United States
intended. "The Germans were in a difficult position," said
Schouten. However, it would be difficult for any Ally except
the United States to give guidance on who should participate
in the discussion, so further guidance from Washington would
be welcome.
LEVIN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/13/2019
TAGS: KCFE PARM PREL NATO NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: LOOKING FOR CFE GUIDANCE
REF: SECSTATE 92528
Classified By: ACTING POLECON COUNSELOR SHAWN GRAY FOR REASONS 1.5(b,d)
1. (C) The Dutch welcome more information about U.S. plans to
resolve the impasse between Russia and the United States
regarding the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe
(CFE). PolDep shared reftel discussion points with Erica
Schouten, MFA Head of NATO Affairs, MFA Senior Policy Advisor
Rein Dekkers, and MOD Arms Control Advisor Otto Verberne.
Schouten asked for further details on the status of U.S.
parallel steps proposals; she understood that those steps
would be finalized in August.
2. (C) Schouten also noted the Netherlands welcomes the U.S.
proposal to broaden the participants in U.S.-Russia CFE
meetings. Such a step would be a useful confidence-building
measure for some nations in particular. However, the Dutch
have the impression that the large number of participants at
the July conference in Berlin was not what the United States
intended. "The Germans were in a difficult position," said
Schouten. However, it would be difficult for any Ally except
the United States to give guidance on who should participate
in the discussion, so further guidance from Washington would
be welcome.
LEVIN