US embassy cable - 04THEHAGUE2123

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 002123 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, BM, NL 
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/ASEM: LOOKING FOR COMPROMISE AGREEMENT 
AT GYMNICH 
 
REF: A. (A) STATE 179237 
     B. (B) THE HAGUE 1916 
 
Classified By: POL Counselor Andrew Schofer for reasons 1.4 (b/d) 
 
(C) Poloff delivered ref A message August 24 to Eric Verwaal, 
Head of MFA's Southeast Asia Division and Special Assistant 
to EU Special Envoy Hans van den Broek.  Verwaal replied that 
the negotiations, still in progress, are aimed at reaching a 
conclusion that will preserve both the ASEM meeting and EU 
policy toward Burma, including the emphasis on human rights. 
Echoing his previous response (Ref B), Verwaal took note of 
U.S. concerns, but stated that since an EU conclusion will 
not be reached until the EU's September 3-4 Gymnich meeting 
he must remain "extremely economical" in revealing the status 
of negotiations or possible conclusions.  He brushed off 
mention of the EU Parliament declaration cited in ref A, 
implying that it would not be an impediment to reaching a 
compromise solution.  Verwaal also confirmed that during FM 
Bot's visit to Indonesia this week, Bot would discuss ASEM 
membership with the Indonesian leadership and, he said, 
ensure that Asian partners are "doing their utmost" with 
regard to the situation in Burma. 
RUSSEL