US embassy cable - 04THEHAGUE1948

S E C R E T THE HAGUE 001948 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, NL 
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO DUTCH ON SYRIA-IRAQ BORDER SECURITY 
 
REF: STATE 166961 
 
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Nathaniel Dean for reasons 1. 
4 (b/d) 
 
(S) Poloff met August 3 with MFA Syria Deskoff Angelique 
Eijpe and Iraq Deskoff Willemijn Kallenberg to discuss reftel 
message.  Both MFA reps were aware of the information 
contained in the message, which they said had been known 
prior to the July 21 regional conference.  Eijpe stated that 
earlier on August 3 the Dutch Embassy in Damascus had 
reported that the Government of Syria was making a "serious 
effort" to stop illegal movement on the border with Iraq, but 
that the GOS lacked sufficient technical capacity and 
manpower.  Eijpe said she therefore believed that the Syrians 
were in fact making efforts to curb encroachments into Iraq, 
and that the issue was therefore not on the agenda for 
further discussion with Syria at this time.  She conceded, 
however, that the EU has "only occasional missions" to the 
border region whereas the USG has constant surveillance, and 
said the GoNL would welcome any additional information, such 
as specific border crossings in question or more recent 
information since July 21.  Seeming surprised that USG 
appeared more concerned by the border with Syria than with 
other neighbors, she said she would discuss the message again 
with the Dutch Embassy in Damascus and relay any further 
information.  Kallenberg reiterated that the Dutch government 
supports the regional dialogue and regularly encourages the 
neighboring countries to maintain dialogue to address border 
issues. 
 
RUSSEL