US embassy cable - 00THEHAGUE1976

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 001976 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2010 
TAGS: PREL, KUNC, NL 
SUBJECT: UNCC: DUTCH CHAIRMAN WITH US 
 
 
REF: SECSTATE 122793 
 
 
Classified by A/Polcouns Eric Lundberg, Reasons 1.5 b/d 
 
 
1.(C) Dutch MFA officials told A/Polcouns in June 28 
discussions that the Dutch agreed with our take on the 
current Russian obstinance within the UNCC governing council. 
 As chairman of the GC, however, the Dutch did not believe it 
proper to undertake joint demarches with such like-minded 
states as the U.S. and UK, but officials say they had spoken 
with the Russians in Geneva in an attempt to clear up the 
matter.  Acting UN Political Affairs chief Marcel van der 
Kolk and Iraq Desk Officer Heub Mijnarends said that they 
hoped the Russians would come around by the June 30 meeting, 
but they were not optimistic.  Neither official indicated 
that the Dutch would undertake a particularly active 
engagement policy with other GC member states. 
 
 
2.(C) Drawing on reftel, A/Polcouns urged the Dutch to do 
what they could -- in Geneva and in capitals -- to encourage 
other states to approach the Russians, in the hope that 
broad, vocal support for a quick decision might dissuade 
Moscow from delaying action further.  Van der Kolk said the 
Dutch would consider next steps following tomorrow's GC 
meeting. 
TOKOLA