Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09THEHAGUE560
2009-09-15 16:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
NETHERLANDS: PUSHING SRI LANKA ON FREEDOM OF
how-toVZCZCXRO6066 RR RUEHSL DE RUEHTC #0560 2581611 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 151611Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3266 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 2758 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2087 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 0505 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 0226 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0667 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1838 RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 0002 RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 0048 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1442 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 4592
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000560
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PREF PTER MASS SOCI EAID NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: PUSHING SRI LANKA ON FREEDOM OF
MOVEMENT
REF: A. SECSTATE 92641
B. THE HAGUE 313
Classified By: PolEcon Counselor Andrew C. Mann for reasons 1.5(b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000560
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PREF PTER MASS SOCI EAID NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: PUSHING SRI LANKA ON FREEDOM OF
MOVEMENT
REF: A. SECSTATE 92641
B. THE HAGUE 313
Classified By: PolEcon Counselor Andrew C. Mann for reasons 1.5(b,d)
1. (C) The Dutch support U.S. efforts to encourage the GSL to
permit the free movement of IDPs. On September 14, post
delivered ref A points to MFA Senior Policy Officer Andrea
Nederlof, in the Department for Asia and Oceania. Nederlof
responded that the Dutch ambassador in Colombo has been "very
active" in engaging the GSL and has led EU joint efforts on
human rights, particularly on the issue of freedom of speech.
The Dutch position is to encourage the GSL to permit IDPs to
return, to accept demining aid, and to address human rights
violations.
2. (C) In terms of aid, the Dutch recently approved one
million euros for the Institute of Migration (IOM) for
Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR). At the
same time, due to rising income levels in Sri Lanka, the GONL
is phasing out Sri Lanka as a "partner country" in 2010 (ref
B).
3. (C) At a multilateral level, Nederlof indicated the EU
appears to support action against Sri Lanka, although it will
not take up the issue at the September 14-15 GAERC meeting
but rather in October after the completion of a report on
limiting trade preferences for Sri Lanka. The Dutch support
the idea of EU guidelines on non-humanitarian aid that
require the GSL to address IDP return and human rights
issues. In New York, Minister for Development Cooperation
Koenders will meet with UN U/SYG Holmes regarding Sri Lanka
during the UNGA, September 21-24.
LEVIN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PREF PTER MASS SOCI EAID NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: PUSHING SRI LANKA ON FREEDOM OF
MOVEMENT
REF: A. SECSTATE 92641
B. THE HAGUE 313
Classified By: PolEcon Counselor Andrew C. Mann for reasons 1.5(b,d)
1. (C) The Dutch support U.S. efforts to encourage the GSL to
permit the free movement of IDPs. On September 14, post
delivered ref A points to MFA Senior Policy Officer Andrea
Nederlof, in the Department for Asia and Oceania. Nederlof
responded that the Dutch ambassador in Colombo has been "very
active" in engaging the GSL and has led EU joint efforts on
human rights, particularly on the issue of freedom of speech.
The Dutch position is to encourage the GSL to permit IDPs to
return, to accept demining aid, and to address human rights
violations.
2. (C) In terms of aid, the Dutch recently approved one
million euros for the Institute of Migration (IOM) for
Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR). At the
same time, due to rising income levels in Sri Lanka, the GONL
is phasing out Sri Lanka as a "partner country" in 2010 (ref
B).
3. (C) At a multilateral level, Nederlof indicated the EU
appears to support action against Sri Lanka, although it will
not take up the issue at the September 14-15 GAERC meeting
but rather in October after the completion of a report on
limiting trade preferences for Sri Lanka. The Dutch support
the idea of EU guidelines on non-humanitarian aid that
require the GSL to address IDP return and human rights
issues. In New York, Minister for Development Cooperation
Koenders will meet with UN U/SYG Holmes regarding Sri Lanka
during the UNGA, September 21-24.
LEVIN