US embassy cable - 04THEHAGUE1021

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 001021 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/22/2014 
TAGS: PHUM, PREL, EAID, LA, NL 
SUBJECT: DUTCH SUPPORT EU PRESSURE ON LAOS 
 
REF: A. SECSTATE 87274 
     B. DUBLIN 597 
 
Classified By: PolCouns Mary E. Daly Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d) 
 
1.  (C) PolOff delivered Ref A demarche to Eric Verwaal, Head 
of the Southern Asia and Oceania Division, and Hein Copper, 
Laos Desk Officer.  The GoNL maintains concern about the 
human rights situation in Laos, and is prepared to support EU 
action on ref A if the presidency puts forth a proposal.  The 
Dutch will raise the issue with the Irish and confer further 
with EU members.  Copper noted that it may be possible to 
have the local EU presidency embassy present concerns to the 
GoL on behalf of either the EU troika or the presidency. 
Copper noted that as the Netherlands maintains no presence in 
Laos, the GoNL is not/not prepared to raise the issue 
bilaterally. 
 
2. (C) Verwaal stated that Germany and Sweden traditionally 
take a keen interest in Laos.  Both have called for the EU to 
use ODA funds as a lever to improve the situation in Laos. 
Earlier this year the EU discussed a proposal to begin an 
EU-Laos human rights dialogue, but Verwaal anticipated that 
the GoL would possibly have difficulty with this idea. 
(Note:  Verwaal was unsure if the proposal had been approved 
by EU members and communicated to the GoL.)  The Netherlands 
supports this idea. 
 
SOBEL