VZCZCXRO0475
RR RUEHAG RUEHROV
DE RUEHTC #0920 3051616
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 311616Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2184
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000920 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2018 
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PTER PHUM KAWK KISL KPAO NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/GUANTANAMO: UNLIKELY TO ACCEPT 
DETAINEE WITHOUT OVERALL SOLUTION 
 
REF: A. SECSTATE 106853 
     ¶B. 07 THE HAGUE 592 
     ¶C. 05 THE HAGUE 2444 
 
Classified By: Political Economic Counselor Andrew C. Mann for reasons 
1.5(b,d) 
 
¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The Dutch are not likely to accept a 
Guantanamo detainee without an overall solution to close the 
prison, but they are considering ways to assist the United 
States when that time comes.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (C) Asked about accepting reftel A detainee, Peter Potman, 
MFA Deputy Director for North America, told poloff on October 
31 that the Dutch foreign ministry had not moved beyond its 
previous policy, explained by former human rights ambassador 
De Klerk, of refusing to accept any detainees unless there is 
a final plan for closing Guantanamo.  Potman noted it was 
hard to explain why the Dutch should accept the detainee if 
the United States would not. 
 
¶3. (C) At the same time, MFA Deputy Political Director Robert 
De Groot told the DCM October 28 that "we are already 
thinking" about Guantanamo's closure, and considering 
possibly providing some relocation assistance.  De Groot 
admitted the Europeans will need to decide how they can help. 
  Potman noted the Dutch are aware of the commitment by both 
presidential candidates to close the prison.  Potman also 
said that the Dutch are starting to work "on an initiative" 
to respond to the new president's possible new detention 
policy.  In Potman's view, the new U.S. president "would be 
wise" to move "boldly and quickly" to regain the moral high 
ground.  Such an effort would make it easier for Europe to 
respond positively.  Potman promised to circulate reftel A 
information internally as the Dutch look at next steps. 
CULBERTSON