NETHERLANDS/IRAN: NUKES, AMCITS, HUMAN RIGHTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000608 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/06/2019 TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM IR PHUM NL SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/IRAN: NUKES, AMCITS, HUMAN RIGHTS REF: A. SECSTATE 103219 ¶B. STATE 94757 ¶C. THE HAGUE 582 ¶D. THE HAGUE 476 ¶E. THE HAGUE 376 ¶F. THE HAGUE 356 ¶G. THE HAGUE 91 Classified By: POLECON Counselor Andrew C. Mann for reasons 1.5(b,d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The Dutch are mystified about Iran's decision to publicize the existence of the Qom nuclear enrichment facility. They appear reluctant to intervene with the GOI on the detained American citizens but are looking at whether they are "doing enough" on human rights. The Dutch embassy in Tehran reports continuing human rights abuses. The Dutch appear frustrated at the lack of information-sharing by the USG on nuclear sanctions. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) NUCLEAR PORTFOLIO: Post delivered reftel A points to Dutch MFA Iran desk officer Loek ten Hagen and Christoffer Jonker, deputy head of Nuclear Affairs and Non-Proliferation Division. Jonker described the Iranian's Qom declaration as "mind boggling. What do they have to gain?" Recent meetings between Iran and the P5 1 appear positive, but Jonker was skeptical about prospects for real progress with Iran. "The cake looks good, but how does it taste?" On the sanctions regime, Ten Hagen stated the Dutch were preparing a new paper with their views on how to expand sanctions if there is no positive response from Iran. Ten Hagen expressed concern about potential U.S. Department of Energy restrictions on companies doing business with Iran (contained in an appropriations bill before Congress) -- the Netherlands remains opposed to extraterritorial restrictions. ¶3. (C) DETAINED AMERICANS: Post raised reftel B points with Henne Schuwer, head of the MFA Middle East Department, on September 24 (reftel C). In a follow up discussion October 7, Ten Hagen stated the Dutch were carefully considering how to approach the GOI on detained individuals in general. Access to the detained American hikers for Swiss representatives in Tehran "was a good sign," although the Dutch heard the discussion with the Swiss was "difficult." In addition, the Dutch have not always found their detainee messages and inquiries to the GOI to be helpful. On the other hand, Ten Hagen noted that the Netherlands raised the case of Mr. Taghavi during a presentation at the Human Rights Council on ¶2008. ¶4. (C) HUMAN RIGHTS: FM Verhagen also publicly expressed concern about the Iranian human rights situation during the UN General Assembly in September. Nonetheless, the Dutch are examining whether they are "doing enough" to promote human rights, and consulting with EU partners about a joint demarche on human rights in the next few weeks. ¶5. (C) TEHRAN REPORT: Ten Hagen reported that "arrests and intimidation continue" in Tehran. Students have been warned to keep quiet or risk punishment against their families. Four hundred student names were published as summons to come before the authorities for questioning (intimidation according to Ten Hagen). Three teachers' union leaders remain in prison. The official death toll from protest violence is 37, although Mr. Mousavi has said the number is ¶72. The number of executions in Iran is on track to match the record level of 2008. ¶6. (C) COMMENT: Dutch officials have offered in the past expand information sharing with the U.S. (reftel G). Dutch officials have also been expansive in sharing information with the U.S. on reporting from their embassy in Tehran after the Iranian elections (reftels D-G). At the same time, the Dutch have previously expressed dissatisfaction with U.S. information sharing on nuclear issues and sanctions planning. Qinformation sharing on nuclear issues and sanctions planning. At this most recent meeting, Ten Hagen ruefully noted the MFA was preparing ideas for sanctions but wasn't sure how this would be used given that the Netherlands has not been included in past sanction discussions. Post expects that the Dutch will be irritated when they learn of the October 7 meeting Iran sanctions involving the G7 3, a more expansive grouping than the P5 1 that nonetheless leaves out the Dutch. END COMMENT. LEVIN