Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09THEHAGUE674
2009-11-06 17:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:  

NETHERLANDS/SERBIA: REQUEST FOR FBI REPORT

Tags:  PREL PHUM NL KAWC ICTY SR 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1537
PP RUEHSL
DE RUEHTC #0674 3101712
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 061712Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3449
INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PRIORITY 0004
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000674 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/05/2019
TAGS: PREL PHUM NL KAWC ICTY SR
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/SERBIA: REQUEST FOR FBI REPORT

REF: A. EMAIL RAPP-VIBUL-JOLLES 10/29/09

B. BELGRADE 1222

C. THE HAGUE 340

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 000674

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/05/2019
TAGS: PREL PHUM NL KAWC ICTY SR
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/SERBIA: REQUEST FOR FBI REPORT

REF: A. EMAIL RAPP-VIBUL-JOLLES 10/29/09

B. BELGRADE 1222

C. THE HAGUE 340

Classified By: PolEcon Counselor Andrew C. Mann for reasons 1.5(b,d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: The Dutch MFA has requested information on
the FBI report on Serbia's efforts to apprehend alleged war
criminal Ratko Mladic. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Ard van der Vorst, Coordinator for Political Affairs
for the Western Balkans, requested a meeting with PolDep
November 3 and requested the USG share information on the FBI
work with Serbian authorities. After having seen Serbian
press reports that S/WCI Ambassador Rapp had allegedly agreed
to pressure the Dutch to support closer EU ties to Serbia,
Van der Vorst asked if there had been any change in U.S.
policy toward the Netherlands on the question of Dutch
opposition to an EU SAA for Serbia. He noted the Swedes had
told the Dutch they expected to receive the FBI report of the
recent work in Belgrade. Van der Vorst said hearing this
information from the Swedes was "strange," and maybe it was a
"bluff" (to pressure the Netherlands). He emphasized FM
Verhagen, with the strong support of the Dutch parliament,
continued to oppose closer EU ties to Serbia until there is
"full cooperation" with the International Criminal Tribunal
for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) Prosecutor Serge Brammertz.


3. (C) PolDep delivered the message of Ambassador Rapp,
clarifying that the U.S. had not changed position, did not
intend to pressure the Dutch government, and intended only to
aid communication (ref email).


4. (C) RECOMMENDATIONS: Post recommends that (1) Dutch
officials, in The Hague or in Washington, receive a briefing
concerning the FBI report, including how/if it will be shared
among EU members, the Netherlands in particular, and the
ICTY, and (2) Brammertz be briefed on the FBI report ahead of
the EU. END RECOMMENDATIONS.
LEVIN