US embassy cable - 00THEHAGUE1801

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 001801 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/16/2010 
TAGS: PTER, PREL, GR, UK, NL, EUN 
SUBJECT: GREECE/TERRORISM: DUTCH PM KOK MAY RAISE CONCERNS 
WITH SIMITIS 
 
REF: SECSTATE 113631 
 
 
Classified by DCM Reed Fendrick, Reasons 1.5 b/d 
 
 
1.(C) Per reftel request, DCM on June 16 contacted Prime 
Minister Kok's Foreign Policy Advisor Wim Geerts to urge that 
Kok personally raise his concerns about terrorism in Greece 
to PM Simitis.  A/Polcouns subsequently learned from Dutch 
MFA A/S-equivalent for Europe Ron van Dartel that Geerts had 
called him requesting that Kok's talking points for the Feira 
Summit include a "non-confrontational" expression of concern 
about the recent 17 November assassination of British 
Brigadier Saunders.  Reviewing reftel points, Van Dartel 
added that the Dutch were like-minded with us about the need 
for concerted, private approaches to the Greek Government 
about the need to improve its counter-terrorism efforts.  He 
cited his recent discussion with the resident Greek 
ambassador, in which he described the Saunders killing as 
"first, a tragedy for the family, but second, a disgrace for 
Greece."  Van Dartel also said that he though the ongoing 
consultations in Athens among U.S. and EU missions extremely 
important. 
 
 
2.(C) Comment: Notwithstanding oft-strained Greek-Dutch 
relations, Kok and Simitis have a good working relationship 
(as do foreign ministers Van Aartsen and Papandreou).  At our 
request, Kok's advisors have recommended that he raise the 
terrorism issue directly with Simitis in Feira.  However, as 
MFA A/S for Security Schapper cautioned DCM later today, EU 
Summits are not usually the venue for confrontational 
encounters.  While we cannot guarantee Kok will pull Simitis 
aside, we believe the Dutch government views the issue with 
utmost concern. 
SCHNEIDER