US embassy cable - 04THEHAGUE1823

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 001823 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/14/2014 
TAGS: PREL, NL, EU, IS, UNGA 
SUBJECT: DUTCH/EU ON ARAB RESOLUTION ON ISRAELI SECURITY 
BARRIER 
 
REF: A. A) SCHOFER-HOLLIDAY TELCON 7/9/04 
     B. B) SECSTATE 152014 
     C. C) PARIS 5294 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR CLIFFORD SOBEL; REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D). 
 
1. (C) On July 9, Ambassador Sobel discussed the anticipated 
ICJ decision on the Israeli Security Barrier with Hugo 
Siblesz, the Dutch MFA's Director General for Political 
Affairs (ref a).  At that time, Siblesz said that while 
elements of the substance of the decision were expected to be 
close to the Dutch national position, the Dutch were 
uncomfortable with the Arab strategy of forcing a debate in 
the General Assembly.  Siblesz felt that it would be 
impossible to keep the Arabs from putting their resolution 
forward, but suggested that the EU might -- at best -- be 
able to agree to abstain.  He stressed that, as EU president, 
the Dutch would seek to develop a coordinated EU position. 
. 
2. (C) On July 13, Poloff delivered ref b points to Peter 
Ramaer, Head of the Political and Legal Affairs Division in 
the UN Department at the MFA.  Ramaer was aware of the EU 
FM's discussion of the issue in Brussels on July 12, but 
claimed that it was still "too early" to talk about a 
coordinated EU reaction to subject resolution.  Ramaer 
relayed what he characterized as "positive notes on the 
opinion itself" from EU colleagues, but stressed that the EU 
Foreign Ministers' had basically moved the discussion to New 
York without reaching agreement. 
SOBEL