Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 143912 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
AORC AS AF AM AJ ASEC AU AMGT APER ACOA ASEAN AG AFFAIRS AR AFIN ABUD AO AEMR ADANA AMED AADP AINF ARF ADB ACS AE AID AL AC AGR ABLD AMCHAMS AECL AINT AND ASIG AUC APECO AFGHANISTAN AY ARABL ACAO ANET AFSN AZ AFLU ALOW ASSK AFSI ACABQ AMB APEC AIDS AA ATRN AMTC AVIATION AESC ASSEMBLY ADPM ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG AGOA ASUP AFPREL ARNOLD ADCO AN ACOTA AODE AROC AMCHAM AT ACKM ASCH AORCUNGA AVIANFLU AVIAN AIT ASECPHUM ATRA AGENDA AIN AFINM APCS AGENGA ABDALLAH ALOWAR AFL AMBASSADOR ARSO AGMT ASPA AOREC AGAO ARR AOMS ASC ALIREZA AORD AORG ASECVE ABER ARABBL ADM AMER ALVAREZ AORCO ARM APERTH AINR AGRI ALZUGUREN ANGEL ACDA AEMED ARC AMGMT AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL ASECAFINGMGRIZOREPTU ABMC AIAG ALJAZEERA ASR ASECARP ALAMI APRM ASECM AMPR AEGR AUSTRALIAGROUP ASE AMGTHA ARNOLDFREDERICK AIDAC AOPC ANTITERRORISM ASEG AMIA ASEX AEMRBC AFOR ABT AMERICA AGENCIES AGS ADRC ASJA AEAID ANARCHISTS AME AEC ALNEA AMGE AMEDCASCKFLO AK ANTONIO ASO AFINIZ ASEDC AOWC ACCOUNT ACTION AMG AFPK AOCR AMEDI AGIT ASOC ACOAAMGT AMLB AZE AORCYM AORL AGRICULTURE ACEC AGUILAR ASCC AFSA ASES ADIP ASED ASCE ASFC ASECTH AFGHAN ANTXON APRC AFAF AFARI ASECEFINKCRMKPAOPTERKHLSAEMRNS AX ALAB ASECAF ASA ASECAFIN ASIC AFZAL AMGTATK ALBE AMT AORCEUNPREFPRELSMIGBN AGUIRRE AAA ABLG ARCH AGRIC AIHRC ADEL AMEX ALI AQ ATFN AORCD ARAS AINFCY AFDB ACBAQ AFDIN AOPR AREP ALEXANDER ALANAZI ABDULRAHMEN ABDULHADI ATRD AEIR AOIC ABLDG AFR ASEK AER ALOUNI AMCT AVERY ASECCASC ARG APR AMAT AEMRS AFU ATPDEA ALL ASECE ANDREW
EAIR ECON ETRD EAGR EAID EFIN ETTC ENRG EMIN ECPS EG EPET EINV ELAB EU ECONOMICS EC EZ EUN EN ECIN EWWT EXTERNAL ENIV ES ESA ELN EFIS EIND EPA ELTN EXIM ET EINT EI ER EAIDAF ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECTRD EUR ECOWAS ECUN EBRD ECONOMIC ENGR ECONOMY EFND ELECTIONS EPECO EUMEM ETMIN EXBS EAIRECONRP ERTD EAP ERGR EUREM EFI EIB ENGY ELNTECON EAIDXMXAXBXFFR ECOSOC EEB EINF ETRN ENGRD ESTH ENRC EXPORT EK ENRGMO ECO EGAD EXIMOPIC ETRDPGOV EURM ETRA ENERG ECLAC EINO ENVIRONMENT EFIC ECIP ETRDAORC ENRD EMED EIAR ECPN ELAP ETCC EAC ENEG ESCAP EWWC ELTD ELA EIVN ELF ETR EFTA EMAIL EL EMS EID ELNT ECPSN ERIN ETT EETC ELAN ECHEVARRIA EPWR EVIN ENVR ENRGJM ELBR EUC EARG EAPC EICN EEC EREL EAIS ELBA EPETUN EWWY ETRDGK EV EDU EFN EVN EAIDETRD ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ ETEX ESCI EAIDHO EENV ETRC ESOC EINDQTRD EINVA EFLU EGEN ECE EAGRBN EON EFINECONCS EIAD ECPC ENV ETDR EAGER ETRDKIPR EWT EDEV ECCP ECCT EARI EINVECON ED ETRDEC EMINETRD EADM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID ETAD ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA EMINECINECONSENVTBIONS ESSO ETRG ELAM ECA EENG EITC ENG ERA EPSC ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EIPR ELABPGOVBN EURFOR ETRAD EUE EISNLN ECONETRDBESPAR ELAINE EGOVSY EAUD EAGRECONEINVPGOVBN EINVETRD EPIN ECONENRG EDRC ESENV EB ENER ELTNSNAR EURN ECONPGOVBN ETTF ENVT EPIT ESOCI EFINOECD ERD EDUC EUM ETEL EUEAID ENRGY ETD EAGRE EAR EAIDMG EE EET ETER ERICKSON EIAID EX EAG EBEXP ESTN EAIDAORC EING EGOV EEOC EAGRRP EVENTS ENRGKNNPMNUCPARMPRELNPTIAEAJMXL ETRDEMIN EPETEIND EAIDRW ENVI ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC EDUARDO EGAR EPCS EPRT EAIDPHUMPRELUG EPTED ETRB EPETPGOV ECONQH EAIDS EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR EAGRBTIOBEXPETRDBN ESF EINR ELABPHUMSMIGKCRMBN EIDN ETRK ESTRADA EXEC EAIO EGHG ECN EDA ECOS EPREL EINVKSCA ENNP ELABV ETA EWWTPRELPGOVMASSMARRBN EUCOM EAIDASEC ENR END EP ERNG ESPS EITI EINTECPS EAVI ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID ELTRN EADI ELDIN ELND ECRM EINVEFIN EAOD EFINTS EINDIR ENRGKNNP ETRDEIQ ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD EAIT ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ EWWI ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEAIR ECONEFIN EHUM EFNI EOXC EISNAR ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM EMW ETIO ETRDGR EMN EXO EATO EWTR ELIN EAGREAIDPGOVPRELBN EINVETC ETTD EIQ ECONCS EPPD ESS EUEAGR ENRGIZ EISL EUNJ EIDE ENRGSD ELAD ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO ENTG ETRDECD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS
KPKO KIPR KWBG KPAL KDEM KTFN KNNP KGIC KTIA KCRM KDRG KWMN KJUS KIDE KSUM KTIP KFRD KMCA KMDR KCIP KTDB KPAO KPWR KOMC KU KIRF KCOR KHLS KISL KSCA KGHG KS KSTH KSEP KE KPAI KWAC KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KPRP KVPR KAWC KUNR KZ KPLS KN KSTC KMFO KID KNAR KCFE KRIM KFLO KCSA KG KFSC KSCI KFLU KMIG KRVC KV KVRP KMPI KNEI KAPO KOLY KGIT KSAF KIRC KNSD KBIO KHIV KHDP KBTR KHUM KSAC KACT KRAD KPRV KTEX KPIR KDMR KMPF KPFO KICA KWMM KICC KR KCOM KAID KINR KBCT KOCI KCRS KTER KSPR KDP KFIN KCMR KMOC KUWAIT KIPRZ KSEO KLIG KWIR KISM KLEG KTBD KCUM KMSG KMWN KREL KPREL KAWK KIMT KCSY KESS KWPA KNPT KTBT KCROM KPOW KFTN KPKP KICR KGHA KOMS KJUST KREC KOC KFPC KGLB KMRS KTFIN KCRCM KWNM KHGH KRFD KY KGCC KFEM KVIR KRCM KEMR KIIP KPOA KREF KJRE KRKO KOGL KSCS KGOV KCRIM KEM KCUL KRIF KCEM KITA KCRN KCIS KSEAO KWMEN KEANE KNNC KNAP KEDEM KNEP KHPD KPSC KIRP KUNC KALM KCCP KDEN KSEC KAYLA KIMMITT KO KNUC KSIA KLFU KLAB KTDD KIRCOEXC KECF KIPRETRDKCRM KNDP KIRCHOFF KJAN KFRDSOCIRO KWMNSMIG KEAI KKPO KPOL KRD KWMNPREL KATRINA KBWG KW KPPD KTIAEUN KDHS KRV KBTS KWCI KICT KPALAOIS KPMI KWN KTDM KWM KLHS KLBO KDEMK KT KIDS KWWW KLIP KPRM KSKN KTTB KTRD KNPP KOR KGKG KNN KTIAIC KSRE KDRL KVCORR KDEMGT KOMO KSTCC KMAC KSOC KMCC KCHG KSEPCVIS KGIV KPO KSEI KSTCPL KSI KRMS KFLOA KIND KPPAO KCM KRFR KICCPUR KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KFAM KWWMN KENV KGH KPOP KFCE KNAO KTIAPARM KWMNKDEM KDRM KNNNP KEVIN KEMPI KWIM KGCN KUM KMGT KKOR KSMT KISLSCUL KNRV KPRO KOMCSG KLPM KDTB KFGM KCRP KAUST KNNPPARM KUNH KWAWC KSPA KTSC KUS KSOCI KCMA KTFR KPAOPREL KNNPCH KWGB KSTT KNUP KPGOV KUK KMNP KPAS KHMN KPAD KSTS KCORR KI KLSO KWNN KNP KPTD KESO KMPP KEMS KPAONZ KPOV KTLA KPAOKMDRKE KNMP KWMNCI KWUN KRDP KWKN KPAOY KEIM KGICKS KIPT KREISLER KTAO KJU KLTN KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KQ KWPR KSCT KGHGHIV KEDU KRCIM KFIU KWIC KNNO KILS KTIALG KNNA KMCAJO KINP KRM KLFLO KPA KOMCCO KKIV KHSA KDM KRCS KWBGSY KISLAO KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KCRI KX KWWT KPAM KVRC KERG KK KSUMPHUM KACP KSLG KIF KIVP KHOURY KNPR KUNRAORC KCOG KCFC KWMJN KFTFN KTFM KPDD KMPIO KCERS KDUM KDEMAF KMEPI KHSL KEPREL KAWX KIRL KNNR KOMH KMPT KISLPINR KADM KPER KTPN KSCAECON KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KCSI KNRG KAKA KFRP KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KQM KQRDQ KWBC KMRD KVBL KOM KMPL KEDM KFLD KPRD KRGY KNNF KPROG KIFR KPOKO KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KHIB KOEM KDDG KCGC
PGOV PREL PK PTER PINR PO PHUM PARM PREF PINF PRL PM PINS PROP PALESTINIAN PE PBTS PNAT PHSA PL PA PSEPC POSTS POLITICS POLICY POL PU PAHO PHUMPGOV PGOG PARALYMPIC PGOC PNR PREFA PMIL POLITICAL PROV PRUM PBIO PAK POV POLG PAR POLM PHUMPREL PKO PUNE PROG PEL PROPERTY PKAO PRE PSOE PHAS PNUM PGOVE PY PIRF PRES POWELL PP PREM PCON PGOVPTER PGOVPREL PODC PTBS PTEL PGOVTI PHSAPREL PD PG PRC PVOV PLO PRELL PEPFAR PREK PEREZ PINT POLI PPOL PARTIES PT PRELUN PH PENA PIN PGPV PKST PROTESTS PHSAK PRM PROLIFERATION PGOVBL PAS PUM PMIG PGIC PTERPGOV PSHA PHM PHARM PRELHA PELOSI PGOVKCMABN PQM PETER PJUS PKK POUS PTE PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PERM PRELGOV PAO PNIR PARMP PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PHYTRP PHUML PFOV PDEM PUOS PN PRESIDENT PERURENA PRIVATIZATION PHUH PIF POG PERL PKPA PREI PTERKU PSEC PRELKSUMXABN PETROL PRIL POLUN PPD PRELUNSC PREZ PCUL PREO PGOVZI POLMIL PERSONS PREFL PASS PV PETERS PING PQL PETR PARMS PNUC PS PARLIAMENT PINSCE PROTECTION PLAB PGV PBS PGOVENRGCVISMASSEAIDOPRCEWWTBN PKNP PSOCI PSI PTERM PLUM PF PVIP PARP PHUMQHA PRELNP PHIM PRELBR PUBLIC PHUMKPAL PHAM PUAS PBOV PRELTBIOBA PGOVU PHUMPINS PICES PGOVENRG PRELKPKO PHU PHUMKCRS POGV PATTY PSOC PRELSP PREC PSO PAIGH PKPO PARK PRELPLS PRELPK PHUS PPREL PTERPREL PROL PDA PRELPGOV PRELAF PAGE PGOVGM PGOVECON PHUMIZNL PMAR PGOVAF PMDL PKBL PARN PARMIR PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PDD PRELKPAO PKMN PRELEZ PHUMPRELPGOV PARTM PGOVEAGRKMCAKNARBN PPEL PGOVPRELPINRBN PGOVSOCI PWBG PGOVEAID PGOVPM PBST PKEAID PRAM PRELEVU PHUMA PGOR PPA PINSO PROVE PRELKPAOIZ PPAO PHUMPRELBN PGVO PHUMPTER PAGR PMIN PBTSEWWT PHUMR PDOV PINO PARAGRAPH PACE PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOVAU PGOF PBTSRU PRGOV PRHUM PCI PGO PRELEUN PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PMR PRTER PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PRELNL PINOCHET PAARM PKPAO PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA POPDC PRELC PHUME PER PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PAUL PHALANAGE PARTY PPEF PECON PEACE PROCESS PPGOV PLN PRELSW PHUMS PRF PEDRO PHUMKDEM PUNR PVPR PATRICK PGOVKMCAPHUMBN PRELA PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PBT PAMQ

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 08THEHAGUE185, NETHERLANDS: DEFENSE ISSUES HEADING INTO BUCHAREST

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08THEHAGUE185.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
08THEHAGUE185 2008-02-27 12:30 2011-01-17 00:00 CONFIDENTIAL Embassy The Hague
VZCZCXYZ0003
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTC #0185/01 0581230
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 271230Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1140
INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 2752
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0352
RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI PRIORITY 0138
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000185 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EUR/WE, EUR/RPM 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/27/2018 
TAGS: MARR PGOV PREL AF NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: DEFENSE ISSUES HEADING INTO BUCHAREST 
 
Classified By: CDA Andrew Schof...



143233,2/27/2008 12:30,08THEHAGUE185,"Embassy The Hague",
CONFIDENTIAL,,"VZCZCXYZ0003
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHTC #0185/01 0581230
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 271230Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1140
INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 2752
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0352
RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI PRIORITY 0138
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
","C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000185
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/WE, EUR/RPM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/27/2018
TAGS: MARR PGOV PREL AF NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: DEFENSE ISSUES HEADING INTO BUCHAREST
Classified By: CDA Andrew Schofer, reasons 1.4 (b, d)

1. (C) Summary: The Dutch MOD is facing several defense
issues leading up to and beyond the NATO Bucharest summit in
April. Dutch MOD senior leadership is facing criticism over
the way it is handling the investigation into three possible
friendly fire incidents in January. The MOD continues to
review a possible Georgian contribution to its ISAF extension
in Uruzgan. Defense officials remain hopeful that funding
can be found to allow the Dutch to participate fully in the
C-17 strategic airlift initiative, but are doubtful they will
be able to sign the MOU prior to the summit. Noise pollution
associated with AWACS aircraft at Geilenkirchen Air Base
continues to cause political problems for the Dutch, who are
looking for creative ways to address parliamentary concerns.
The Dutch also are looking to contribute 60 marines to the EU
mission in Chad, although parliamentary support at this point
is questionable. Finally, the MOD is leading a 18-month long
task force designed to examine the possibility of defense
budget increases as a fixed percentage of GDP. End summary.

2. (SBU) On February 26, Dutch MOD working level contacts
discussed defense issues leading up to the NATO Bucharest
Summit in April. Dutch participants included CAPT Turnhout
(MOD Policy Officer for the United States), LTC Parthesius
(Dutch military liaison for the United States), and COL
Vermeij (acting head of the Joint Chiefs International
Military Cooperation Directorate).

Afghanistan
-----------

3. (SBU) Vermeij and Turnhout addressed recent parliamentary
and public criticism of Dutch CHOD Gen. Berlijn's interim
report regarding three possible friendly fire incidents in
mid-January. Berlijn's report found that all three incidents
were likely the result of friendly fire in which Dutch forces
did not ""fully comply in accordance with tactical
procedures."" Defense Minister van Middelkoop is awaiting the
results of a separate investigation by the prosecutor's
office before releasing the ""final"" MOD report on the
incidents in question.

4. (C) Parliament and public criticism has lambasted Berlijn
for issuing a report that is not yet final, while Dutch
troops in Afghanistan are incensed the report does not take
into account the ""extreme circumstances"" (night time,
inclement weather, lack of radio equipment) under which the
incidents transpired, and depicts Dutch troops as ""rank
amateurs."" Vermeij argued that Berlijn and van Middelkoop
would equally have been criticized for ""keeping parliament in
the dark"" if they had decided to wait until the investigation
had been completed before releasing any findings --
essentially, the Dutch MOD senior leadership is ""damned if
you do, damned if you don't.""

5. (C) On the possible Georgian contribution to the Dutch
ISAF extension in Uruzgan, Vermeij acknowledged the Dutch are
still determining whether they will be able to use the
Georgians, and expected an answer in three to four weeks --
any questions regarding potential Dutch funding of task force
training will have to wait until after the Dutch assess
whether the Georgian offer was more than ""just a political
facade"" to bolster NATO membership action plan aspirations.
He understood ""high interest"" in Washington -- and
potentially Canada -- to use the Georgians elsewhere should
the Dutch determine they are not a good fit for the Dutch
task force.

C-17
----

6. (C) Turnhout still expected the Dutch to be able to
participate in the C-17 strategic airlift initiative, but
noted that funding remains an issue within the GONL. He
understood that the United States and others seek to soon
sign the C-17 MOU so that it may be announced as a
deliverable for the Bucharest summit. Turnhout said the
timing is unfortunate for the Dutch -- and for the Swedish
and Italians for different reasons -- especially since the
Dutch will not be able to resolve their internal budget
funding questions until after the summit.

AWACs Re-Engining
-----------------

7. (C) Turnhout raised Dutch efforts to reduce the noise
pollution associated with NATO Airborne Warning and Control
System (AWACS) aircraft flying into and out of the NATO air
base just across the border in Geilenkirchen, Germany. He
acknowledged that the ""business case"" to replace the noisy
E-3 engines is proving difficult to make to NATO Allies. As
a result, the Dutch have been forced to think creatively,
including van Middelkoop's proposal at the NATO Defense
Ministerial in Vilnius to replace 1,380 training sorties with
a flight simulator. Unfortunately, Turnhout doubted the
Dutch would receive an official answer from NATO until the
next NAMSO board of directors meeting in June -- and the GONL
is on the hook to report to the Dutch parliament by the end
of March ""progress by NATO"" on resolving the noise pollution.
Turnhout appreciated any assistance from NATO Allies -- and
the USG specifically -- to indicate in advance that the
flight simulator proposal might prove acceptable. Turnhout
also said that the Dutch Minister for the Environment was
taking a more proactive role on this issue, and has tried to
gain support from other EU environment ministers for the
Dutch cause. (Note: On February 21, the Dutch floated a paper
at the EU Environmental Council requesting EU legislation
assistance in restricting noise pollution associated with the
AWACS aircraft. End note.)

Chad
----

8. (C) Vermeij noted that the MOD has proposed contributing a
reconnaissance unit of 60 marines as part of an Irish
battalion to the EU mission in Chad. He expected the Cabinet
to approve the deployment on February 29, followed by a
parliamentary debate the following week. Parthesius
confirmed strong opposition in both parliament and the
military labor unions, noting the argument that the Dutch
military is already stretched too thin by its deployment to
Afghanistan. (Note: Members of the previous coalition
government Liberal Party (VVD) approved the extension in
Afghanistan under the condition that no other significant
Dutch military deployment happen concurrently. VVD
traditionally has frowned upon Dutch involvement in Africa.
End note.) Vermeij expected parliament to ultimately agree
with the deployment given coalition party support for the
mission, including especially efforts by the Labor Party
(PvdA) to engage in Africa.

Defense Budget Review
---------------------

9. (C) Turnhout has been picked to lead the working level of
an interagency task force to examine whether the defense
budget should be structurally increased as a fixed percentage
of the GDP; the 18-month long task force will officially
begin work on March 5. Turnhout explained that from the MOD
perspective, the aim of the task force is to lay the
foundation necessary to effectively make the case to the next
coalition government that the defense budget should be
increased. He noted, however, that the issue is politically
sensitive: the Ministry of Finance -- headed by PvdA party
leader Wouter Bos -- will argue in favor of decreasing the
defense budget. He said the results of the task force will
be highly scrutinized, and may carry significant weight in
determine the future direction of the Dutch military.
Schofer