VZCZCXRO1262
RR RUEHIK RUEHPOD RUEHYG
DE RUEHTC #2001/01 3241519
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 201519Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0714
INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS 0588

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 002001 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EUR/ERA AND EUR/WE (TSMITH) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV NL EU EAID ETRD
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/EU: VIEWS ON NOVEMBER 19-20 (GAERC) 
 
REF: SECSTATE 156474 
 
THIS MESSAGE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED.  PLEASE HANDLE 
ACCORDINGLY. 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On November 15, POLOFF delivered reftel 
points to the Dutch MFA's EU Correspondent, Desiree Kopmels. 
Also on November 15, Stefan van Wersch, Director for EU 
external policy, and Rochus Pronk, Deputy EU Correspondent, 
reviewed Dutch priorities ahead of the November 19-20 GAERC 
during a briefing for representatives from the U.S., Croatia, 
Japan, Korea, Norway, Switzerland, and Turkey.  Van Wersch 
focused on broad economic issues (para 2-3), and Pronk 
reviewed primarily political issues, including regional 
summits, the Balkans, Pakistan, Sudan/Darfur, Burma, ESDP, 
and the Middle East (para 3-10). END SUMMARY. 
 
"Jumbo Council" 
--------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) Van Wersch noted that the plan to bring together 
Defense, Development and Foreign Ministers for this meeting 
reflects an evolution for the EU, an effort to combine hard 
and soft power to solve problems.  The Netherlands believes 
most states have enough development assistance, but the Dutch 
will push for more security spending.     The Dutch will 
propose a pilot project for Burundi that will also apply 
generally to fragile states and attempt to better divide 
labor among supporting states (i.e. EU) . 
 
Economic Partnership Agreements 
------------------------------- 
 
¶3. (SBU) Van Wersch explained that the EU states are obliged 
under a 1999 WTO ruling to renegotiate the "Cotonou 
Agreement," which targeted trade preferences for former 
colonies in Africa, Caribbean, and the Pacific (ACP states). 
The broad goal is to finalize six trade agreements in the 
regions by 2008, the deadline set by the WTO.  The primary 
Dutch goal is to avoid having any state get worse trade deals 
under the new agreements. 
 
EU Summits 
---------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) For the China Summit, FM Verhagen has asked that 
human rights be given "special attention."  The Dutch or the 
EU will raise concerns about Burma. Asked about the China 
Arms Embargo, Pronk quoted FM Verhagen, who told the Dutch 
parliament that there's been no change in the Dutch position 
because no developments in China warrant a change. 
Accordingly, there's no reason to put the issue on the GAERC 
agenda.  For the summit with India, the Dutch want to update 
the cooperation agreement, and include important political 
clauses like human rights. The Dutch also want to raise child 
labor and Burma.  For the summit with Africa, The Dutch aim 
for a 2008-2010 EU-Africa Action Plan.  The Dutch prefer that 
President Mugabe not attend, and the Dutch believe the 
Portuguese have made the EU,s preference clear to Africa. 
However, if Mugabe attends, the Dutch expect an open dialogue 
on human rights and governance.  The Dutch offered to engage 
Zimbabwe on behalf of the EU if Mugabe does attend. 
 
Balkans 
------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) In Kosovo, it,s "crunch time."  The Troika should 
do more, intensify efforts, perhaps holding a Dayton-like 
meeting.  The November 17 elections should be watched 
closely.  The Dutch are also concerned about Serbian 
interference.  In Bosnia, the situation is more complicated 
now.  The Dutch are concerned about the hold-up on the police 
agreement.  They will support the UN high representative and 
the EU special representative.  In Serbia, the Dutch feel the 
Stabilization and Association Agreement was signed too soon 
(NOTE: On November 16, the press reported that FM Verhagen 
delivered this message to Serbian FM Jeremic, explaining that 
the Netherlands will not sign until Serbia cooperates fully 
with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former 
Yugoslavia.  END NOTE.). 
 
Pakistan 
-------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) The Dutch are "deeply concerned" about the arrests 
and emergency declaration, though the planned elections are 
welcome. The Dutch will explain their suspension of some aid 
at the Council. 
 
 
THE HAGUE 00002001  002 OF 002 
 
 
Sudan/Darfur 
------------ 
 
¶7. (SBU) The Brussels meetings on Sudan/Darfur will include 
MODs and FMs.  Sanctions are needed and should be on the 
table. 
 
Burma 
----- 
 
¶8. (SBU) The Dutch will continue "in the forefront" of those 
pushing for sanctions.  The Dutch had hoped the EU would 
include measures against Burmese oil and gas interests as 
part of the EU's October 15 sanctions decision.  Testifying 
before parliament on November 12, FM Verhagen reported said 
"maybe the time is right" for even tougher sanctions.  Again, 
the Dutch will raise Burma at EU summits with China and India. 
 
ESDP 
---- 
 
¶9. (SBU) The Dutch are most concerned about the European 
Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) police mission to 
Afghanistan.  It,s been difficult to start, and the EU 
should apply these lessons elsewhere (e.g. Kosovo). 
 
Middle East 
----------- 
 
¶10. (SBU) The EU will receive an action plan on Monday, but 
there's not enough time to act on it.  The Dutch are 
particularly concerned about the border openings.  One flower 
project in Gaza, for example, is stymied.  The Council may 
offer short conclusions on Lebanon.  On Iran, no decision is 
expected at this meeting, and the Dutch continue to support 
diplomacy, but also sanctions within the EU.  On Iraq, the FM 
will attend the meeting with FM Zebari and ask about 
internally displace persons and refugees. 
Gallagher