US embassy cable - 03THEHAGUE2801

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 002801 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SA/AR, EUR/UBI FOR S.HOLLIDAY, USEU FOR USAID P.LERNER 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2008 
TAGS: AF, EAID, NL, PGOV, PREL 
SUBJECT: AFGHAN AID:  DUTCH 2003 PLEDGES ON TRACK, SOME 
MINOR NEW FUNDS IN THE PIPELINE 
 
REF: A. STATE 305542 
 
     B. THE HAGUE 02399 
 
Classified By: ECONOMIC COUNSELOR RICHARD HUFF FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND 
(D) 
 
1.     (C) EconOff and EconIntern delivered ref A demarche to 
Marit van Zomeren, Afghan Desk Officer at the MFA's Southern 
Asia Division.  While Van Zomeren was unable to make any 
commitments, she agreed to raise the suggestion of a Dutch 
announcement of accelerated pledges with the MFA's Special 
Representative for Afghanistan Ronald Mollinger.  Embassy 
will follow up with the Southern Asia Division week of Nov. 
10. 
 
2.     (SBU) Update on Dutch 2003 Pledges 
 
--  2003 ARTF money:  the GONL will distribute EUR 17.5 
million to the ARTF in the next two weeks; the funds have 
been authorized by Finance and are awaiting final 
dispersement.  This sum is the last segment of Dutch 2003 
contributions to the ARTF. 
--  2003 EUR 5 million for UNHCR:  to be distributed "as soon 
as possible". 
--  2003 EUR 5 million for elections:  also scheduled to be 
distributed soon, but no date available. 
--  NEW PLEDGE:  USD 938,000 for the constitutional Loya 
Jirga, earmarked for election of district reps, and public 
information campaign. 
--  NEW PLEDGE:  EUR 100,000 to the political rsource center 
(managed by National Democratic Institute). 
--  The GONL remains committed to the 2004-2006 pledges which 
it announced at Dubai in September (ref B). 
 
3.    (C) Other News and an Info Request 
 
-- German Special Rep for Afghanistan Schmunck and EU Special 
Rep for Afghanistan Vendrell will be in the Hague on November 
10 for consultations with the GONL. 
-- On the question of an Afghan-led pledging conference for 
late winter, the Netherlands is unenthusiastic and believes 
the EU will share their view.  The Dutch feel there is little 
utility in holding a pledging conference before the Afghan 
budget is available, which could be March 2004.  In addition, 
the Dutch caution that EU member states will not have money 
approved or available by the proposed date. 
--  Ms. Van Zomeren and Special Rep Mollinger traveled to 
Afghanistan in October, visiting Kabul and the PRT at Konduz 
(Note:  the Germans have asked the Dutch to participate in 
the German-led Konduz PRT). 
--  Development Minister Van Ardenne recently added 
Afghanistan to the MFA's list of "partner countries", i.e., 
countries with which the Ministry has an official development 
relationship. 
-- The MFA requests USG position on Bonn II conference -- 
timing, process, etc.  Post would appreciate any recent 
talking points on Bonn II. 
SOBEL