US embassy cable - 00THEHAGUE1650

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Identifier:	00THEHAGUE1650
Wikileaks:	View 00THEHAGUE1650 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy The Hague
Created:	2000-06-02 12:00:00
Classification:	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Tags:	ENRG NL EUN
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 001650 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
 
STATE FOR SNIS, NP/SC, EUR/ERA, EUR/WST 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ENRG, NL, EUN 
SUBJECT: THE DUTCH ON EU FOSSIL FUEL GRANTS 
 
 
REF: STATE 96084 
 
 
THIS MESSAGE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PLEASE PROTECT. 
 
 
(SBU) Dutch MFA Ukraine deskoff Hans Schutte and Energy, 
Research and Technology Division Chief Jan Huber (please 
protect both) provided the following comments regarding EU 
Fossil Fuel Grants: 
- The Dutch do not have an anti-nuclear policy (like the 
Danes, Austrians, and Irish), but are against the EBRD 
project because they prefer a non-nuclear energy alternative 
and because of the cost. 
- Many Dutch citizens (like the Germans) are uncomfortable 
with nuclear energy being so close to their borders. 
- It was the Ukrainian government which insisted on making 
the linkage between closing Chornobyl and paying for R4/K2; 
the GOU said that the Ukrainians would close Chornobyl if 
they received the money to complete R4/K2. 
- The Dutch would probably consent to providing such grants 
to help out the Ukrainians during the winter, but agree that 
there should be no link with the K2/R4.  The grants must fit 
in with a responsble energy policy, however. 
- The Dutch agree on the necessity for power sector reform, 
which would generate enough money to allow the Ukraine to 
purchase its own fuel needs.  Some experts believe that the 
Ukraine has a vast overcapacity and that the money would be 
much better spent on upgrading the electricity sector. 
SCHNEIDER