US embassy cable - 04THEHAGUE2095

S E C R E T THE HAGUE 002095 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/UBI, PM/RSAT, PM/PMAT, AND NEA-I 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/23/2024 
TAGS: PREL, MOPS, MARR, IZ, GB, NL, UN, EUN 
SUBJECT: DUTCH PUT UN PROTECTION FORCE ON PSC AGENDA 
 
REF: STATE 180598 
 
Classified By: ANDREW SCHOFER, POLCOUNS, FOR REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D). 
 
1. (S) On August 23, POLCOUNS discussed reftel points with 
Dutch MFA officials Bahia Tahzib (Deputy European 
Correspondent) and Adri van Loopik (Head of the Gulf States 
Division in the Department of North Africa and Middle East 
Affairs).  (Note:  POLOFFS had previously discussed the issue 
with Tahzib and her boss, European Correspondent Joep 
Wijnands, on August 19).  Tahzib and van Loopik told POLCOUNS 
that the issue had been placed by the Dutch on the agenda of 
the Political and Security Committee (PSC) meeting scheduled 
for August 24.  Reftel points, they said, would be taken into 
account in preparing the Dutch position for the meeting.  The 
Dutch, as president, had also circulated a copy of UNSYG 
Annan's letter requesting support for UN operations in Iraq 
to members in preparation for the meeting (sent via e-mail to 
EUR/UBI, EUR/ERA, and USEU). 
 
2. (S) Tahzib and van Loopik noted that raising the issue in 
the PSC before considering it at the working group level 
(COMEM) was a break from normal practice, which was warranted 
by the importance of the issue and the need to take a timely 
decision.  Tahzib stressed that the Dutch wanted the issue 
discussed before the EU "exploratory mission" (headed by MFA 
Deputy Political Director Hermann Schaaper) departed for Iraq 
at the end of the month.  The issue could then be taken up by 
the Gymnich on September 3-4, the COMEM meeting scheduled for 
September 6 or 7, and, if necessary, the GAERC on September 
13-14. 
 
3. (S) Tahzib and van Loopik stressed that discussion at the 
PSC would be exploratory in nature.  As president, the Dutch 
saw their role at this stage as "testing the water" to see 
whether the EU could take a coordinated position.  Some 
states, they said, had earlier expressed confusion about the 
request -- particularly with regard to the amount required -- 
and in some cases irritation at the manner in which 
individual states (but not others) had been approached.  They 
did not expect these concerns to create serious problems at 
the PSC or subsequent discussions, however.  Tahzib and van 
Loopik noted that all EU members were on record supporting a 
strengthened UN role in Iraq and on the need to ensure that 
any UN presence there was adequately protected. 
 
4. (S) Van Loopik observed that even if consensus emerged 
among EU members to support the UN protection force, the 
money would still need to be wrestled out of the Commission; 
the Dutch, as president, would be prepared to "do battle with 
the Commission" on this if necessary.  Another option, he 
suggested, would be for individual states to make separate 
contributions.  Tahzib and van Loopik emphasized that 
discussion of the issue was still at a very early stage 
within the EU and urged patience.  At POLCOUNS request, they 
promised to provide feedback from the PSC meeting and to 
coordinate closely on the issue. 
RUSSEL