Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10THEHAGUE72
2010-02-04 16:48:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
NETHERLANDS/AFGHANISTAN: CABINET DECISION ON ITS
how-toVZCZCXRO6354 OO RUEHDBU RUEHPW RUEHSL DE RUEHTC #0072/01 0351648 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 041648Z FEB 10 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3743 INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0438 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 000072
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2020
TAGS: PREL PGOV NATO AF NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/AFGHANISTAN: CABINET DECISION ON ITS
WAY
REF: A. THE HAGUE 759
B. THE HAGUE 015
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Edwin R. Nolan for reasons 1.4 (
b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 000072
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2020
TAGS: PREL PGOV NATO AF NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/AFGHANISTAN: CABINET DECISION ON ITS
WAY
REF: A. THE HAGUE 759
B. THE HAGUE 015
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Edwin R. Nolan for reasons 1.4 (
b) and (d).
1. (S/NF) SUMMARY. A Dutch Cabinet decision on a post-2010
Afghanistan commitment is expected anytime within the next
two weeks, possibly as early as February 5. Information on
the specifics of the discussions is closely guarded, but all
sources report that the negotiations are very delicate and
fragile with a determination to remain a viable partner in
ISAF. The focus of the negotiations appears to be on a
transitional approach for their forces in Uruzgan through
August 2011. END SUMMARY.
2. (C/NF) In a series of "mini" Cabinet meetings, the
discussions on Afghanistan have been "difficult" and
"fragile", explained Andre Rouvoet, the leader of the junior
coalition Christian Union party, to Ambassador Levin on
February 3. Rouvoet, a Deputy Prime Minister participating
in all the full and mini Cabinet meetings on Afghanistan,
would not elaborate further about the February 2 cabinet
discussions on Afghanistan. He noted that the ministers were
"still talking" and expected a decision within the next "week
or two" but emphasized several times the "delicate" situation
within the Cabinet. He also made a point to reiterate the
long-standing decision of the Dutch to depart Uruzgan.
3. (C/NF) Marcel de Vink, Chief of Staff to the Foreign
Minister, told POLOFF February 3 the sessions were extremely
"delicate" with the discussions focusing on a "transition"
option. He was of the opinion that if all goes well the
Cabinet could, "in principle" agree to the "transition"
option February 5. This compromise option would have the
Dutch "slow down" their departure from Uruzgan and focus on a
transition mission through July 2011. De Vink stated a
letter from the NATO Secretary General with a specific
request and the designation of another nation as lead-nation
could be the catalyst for an agreement within the Cabinet.
According to de Vink, the goal is to have the formal
notification letter delivered to Parliament by February 19,
followed by parliamentary debates after the local elections
in early March. De Vink emphasized repeatedly the fragility
of the discussions.
4. (C/NF) COMMENT: It is expected that the Davids Committee
report (on Iraq, ref B) -- another "delicate issue" -- may be
the first agenda item at the February 5 Cabinet meeting. The
Labor Party wants the Cabinet to accept the Davids report
without qualifying responses, which is counter to Christian
Democrat Party (CDA) wishes. If the CDA gives in to the
Labor Party on the Davids report, then it may pave the way
for support of the transition option on Afghanistan. If the
CDA will not budge on the Davids report, then Labor may be
less cooperative on Afghanistan. Measured engagement in this
fragile arena includes SACEUR's visit on February 8 and the
Ambassador's meeting on February 9 with the Triad (senior
policy advisors to the Prime minister, Foreign Minister and
Chief of Defense). END COMMENT.
THE HAGUE 00000072 002 OF 002
LEVIN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2020
TAGS: PREL PGOV NATO AF NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/AFGHANISTAN: CABINET DECISION ON ITS
WAY
REF: A. THE HAGUE 759
B. THE HAGUE 015
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Edwin R. Nolan for reasons 1.4 (
b) and (d).
1. (S/NF) SUMMARY. A Dutch Cabinet decision on a post-2010
Afghanistan commitment is expected anytime within the next
two weeks, possibly as early as February 5. Information on
the specifics of the discussions is closely guarded, but all
sources report that the negotiations are very delicate and
fragile with a determination to remain a viable partner in
ISAF. The focus of the negotiations appears to be on a
transitional approach for their forces in Uruzgan through
August 2011. END SUMMARY.
2. (C/NF) In a series of "mini" Cabinet meetings, the
discussions on Afghanistan have been "difficult" and
"fragile", explained Andre Rouvoet, the leader of the junior
coalition Christian Union party, to Ambassador Levin on
February 3. Rouvoet, a Deputy Prime Minister participating
in all the full and mini Cabinet meetings on Afghanistan,
would not elaborate further about the February 2 cabinet
discussions on Afghanistan. He noted that the ministers were
"still talking" and expected a decision within the next "week
or two" but emphasized several times the "delicate" situation
within the Cabinet. He also made a point to reiterate the
long-standing decision of the Dutch to depart Uruzgan.
3. (C/NF) Marcel de Vink, Chief of Staff to the Foreign
Minister, told POLOFF February 3 the sessions were extremely
"delicate" with the discussions focusing on a "transition"
option. He was of the opinion that if all goes well the
Cabinet could, "in principle" agree to the "transition"
option February 5. This compromise option would have the
Dutch "slow down" their departure from Uruzgan and focus on a
transition mission through July 2011. De Vink stated a
letter from the NATO Secretary General with a specific
request and the designation of another nation as lead-nation
could be the catalyst for an agreement within the Cabinet.
According to de Vink, the goal is to have the formal
notification letter delivered to Parliament by February 19,
followed by parliamentary debates after the local elections
in early March. De Vink emphasized repeatedly the fragility
of the discussions.
4. (C/NF) COMMENT: It is expected that the Davids Committee
report (on Iraq, ref B) -- another "delicate issue" -- may be
the first agenda item at the February 5 Cabinet meeting. The
Labor Party wants the Cabinet to accept the Davids report
without qualifying responses, which is counter to Christian
Democrat Party (CDA) wishes. If the CDA gives in to the
Labor Party on the Davids report, then it may pave the way
for support of the transition option on Afghanistan. If the
CDA will not budge on the Davids report, then Labor may be
less cooperative on Afghanistan. Measured engagement in this
fragile arena includes SACEUR's visit on February 8 and the
Ambassador's meeting on February 9 with the Triad (senior
policy advisors to the Prime minister, Foreign Minister and
Chief of Defense). END COMMENT.
THE HAGUE 00000072 002 OF 002
LEVIN