Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09THEHAGUE559
2009-09-15 15:26:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
NETHERLANDS/NATO: VIEW ON U.S. FORCE REDUCTIONS IN
how-toVZCZCXRO6014 OO RUEHSL DE RUEHTC #0559 2581526 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 151526Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3265 INFO RUEHXP/ALL NATO POST COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY 0677 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 2238 RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC PRIORITY
S E C R E T THE HAGUE 000559
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2019
TAGS: MARR MOPS NATO PINS PREL PTER NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/NATO: VIEW ON U.S. FORCE REDUCTIONS IN
EUROPE
REF: A. USNATO 329
B. BERLIN 935
C. WARSAW 876
D. THE HAGUE 514
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Michael F. Gallagher for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
S E C R E T THE HAGUE 000559
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2019
TAGS: MARR MOPS NATO PINS PREL PTER NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/NATO: VIEW ON U.S. FORCE REDUCTIONS IN
EUROPE
REF: A. USNATO 329
B. BERLIN 935
C. WARSAW 876
D. THE HAGUE 514
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Michael F. Gallagher for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S/NF) Summary: U.S. EMBASSY The Hague strongly endorses
USNATO's concerns about proposed U.S. force reductions in
Europe (ref A). At a time when we are asking the Dutch to
remain committed to NATO operations, additional reductions in
U.S. NATO forces will undercut our appeal. Additionally,
senior Dutch officials believe that unilateral reductions in
forces misses a political opportunity in negotiations with
Russia. END SUMMARY.
2. (S/NF) On a bilateral level, the Dutch would view
additional U.S. force reductions as a mixed signal when the
United States simultaneously urges the Netherlands to extend
commitments to NATO operations, especially in Afghanistan.
We have engaged the GONL in a string of high-level meetings
throughout the last two months -- including General
McChrystal, Ambassador Daalder, Secretary Clinton, and even
the President -- in efforts to convince the Dutch to retain a
significant military presence in Afghanistan after 2010. We
are also beginning public outreach efforts to support a
possible Cabinet end-of-year decision to extend the Dutch
engagement in Afghanistan as part of NATO/ISAF. The Dutch
public would most certainly view the reductions as a loss of
political will in support of NATO, and possibly one more step
towards the U.S. acting unilaterally on the world stage.
Dutch officials may also find the move confusing and
irresponsible when the strategic review of NATO is just
beginning.
3. (S/NF) On a broader level, EMBASSY The Hague believes
Dutch officials feel very strongly that unilateral reductions
are "wasted opportunities" that could be better used for
leverage or bargaining chips, especially in the context of
Russian belligerence towards the eastern members in NATO,
Medvedev,s call for a new European security structure, and
Russia,s stance on the Conventional Forces in Europe treaty.
For example, in previous meetings with EMBASSY officials,
the Director for Security Policy, Henk Swarttouw, expressed
Dutch disappointment at U.S. unilateral moves, such as U.S.
thoughts on reducing conventional forces in Europe without
reciprocal cuts by the Russians.
LEVIN
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2019
TAGS: MARR MOPS NATO PINS PREL PTER NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/NATO: VIEW ON U.S. FORCE REDUCTIONS IN
EUROPE
REF: A. USNATO 329
B. BERLIN 935
C. WARSAW 876
D. THE HAGUE 514
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Michael F. Gallagher for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S/NF) Summary: U.S. EMBASSY The Hague strongly endorses
USNATO's concerns about proposed U.S. force reductions in
Europe (ref A). At a time when we are asking the Dutch to
remain committed to NATO operations, additional reductions in
U.S. NATO forces will undercut our appeal. Additionally,
senior Dutch officials believe that unilateral reductions in
forces misses a political opportunity in negotiations with
Russia. END SUMMARY.
2. (S/NF) On a bilateral level, the Dutch would view
additional U.S. force reductions as a mixed signal when the
United States simultaneously urges the Netherlands to extend
commitments to NATO operations, especially in Afghanistan.
We have engaged the GONL in a string of high-level meetings
throughout the last two months -- including General
McChrystal, Ambassador Daalder, Secretary Clinton, and even
the President -- in efforts to convince the Dutch to retain a
significant military presence in Afghanistan after 2010. We
are also beginning public outreach efforts to support a
possible Cabinet end-of-year decision to extend the Dutch
engagement in Afghanistan as part of NATO/ISAF. The Dutch
public would most certainly view the reductions as a loss of
political will in support of NATO, and possibly one more step
towards the U.S. acting unilaterally on the world stage.
Dutch officials may also find the move confusing and
irresponsible when the strategic review of NATO is just
beginning.
3. (S/NF) On a broader level, EMBASSY The Hague believes
Dutch officials feel very strongly that unilateral reductions
are "wasted opportunities" that could be better used for
leverage or bargaining chips, especially in the context of
Russian belligerence towards the eastern members in NATO,
Medvedev,s call for a new European security structure, and
Russia,s stance on the Conventional Forces in Europe treaty.
For example, in previous meetings with EMBASSY officials,
the Director for Security Policy, Henk Swarttouw, expressed
Dutch disappointment at U.S. unilateral moves, such as U.S.
thoughts on reducing conventional forces in Europe without
reciprocal cuts by the Russians.
LEVIN