US embassy cable - 04THEHAGUE1867

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 001867 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2014 
TAGS: PREL, SU, NL, EUN, UNSC 
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/EU/SUDAN: PREPPING FOR GAERC DARFUR 
DISCUSSION 
 
REF: STATE 15931 
 
Classified By: POL Counselor Andrew Schofer, for reasons 1.4 (b/d) 
 
1. (C) Summary: The Dutch expect GAERC conclusions to 
maintain political pressure on GOS, endorse coordination with 
AU/UN/US, and to increase humanitarian assistance.  In a 
scheduled July 24 meeting with GOS FM Ismael, FM Bot and Dev 
Min Van Ardenne intend to express deep concern about the 
situation in Darfur and pressure the GOS to take 
responsibility for actions and commitments.  End Summary. 
 
2. (C) Poloff delivered ref points to Acting Sudan Desk 
Officer Marieke van Ressen and EU Correspondent Joep Wijnands 
July 23.  MFA reps noted that the Political and Security 
Committee (PSC) is already in session today discussing draft 
conclusions on Sudan in preparation for Monday's General 
Affairs External Relations Committee (GAERC).  Director for 
Political Affairs Jaap Werner (protect) reported to PolCouns 
that the main message will be to keep up the political 
pressure, coordinate with AU/UN/US, and to increase 
humanitarian assistance.  Werner suspected that the 
conclusions drafted in today's PSC would need some 
"fine-tuning" during the GAERC itself, and noted that the EU 
would be following events in New York closely. 
 
3. (C) Werner added that the Dutch (at U.S. request) had 
checked on the money transfer to the AU and believed there 
would be no problem on either the EU or the AU side.  Werner 
also indicated that the EU will send experts to the Darfur 
Mediation Team and AU monitoring mission.  Van Ressen said 
the need for more technical assistance would be noted at the 
meeting, but said it was too late to confirm that the reftel 
request for additional airlift capacity would be discussed. 
 
4. (C) Van Ressen and Werner confirmed that Foreign Minister 
Bot and Development Minister Van Ardenne will meet with 
Sudanese Foreign Minister Ismael on Saturday, July 24 in The 
Hague.  Van Ressen expected that Bot would express deep 
concern over the continued lack of security for the 
population of Darfur and the insufficient progress shown to 
date by the GOS, and that he would impress upon Ismael that 
it is the responsibility of the GOS to live up to its 
commitments. 
 
5. (C) Van Ressen said the GoNL believes the GOS will not 
make sufficient efforts and noted the continued GOS denial of 
the existence of a humanitarian crisis.  She declared that at 
this point "the most possible pressure is needed."  Van 
Ressen and other contacts expressed a desire for continuing 
close coordination between the EU and US on the issue. 
MINIMIZED CONSIDERED 
RUSSEL