US embassy cable - 04THEHAGUE3067

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 003067 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/23/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PHUM, CH, NL, EUN 
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/EU/CHINA ARMS EMBARGO:  POLDIR ON NOV 
22 GAERC 
 
REF: THE HAGUE 3011 
 
Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR CLIFFORD M. SOBEL FOR REASONS 1 
.4 (B AND D) 
 
1. (C) Ambassador Sobel discussed the EU China arms embargo 
with MFA PolDir Hugo Siblesz on November 22; specifically the 
reference to the EU's intention to send a "positive signal" 
to China.  Siblesz said the PRC had requested reference be 
made to the embargo in the EU-China Summit Communique. 
Accordingly, the thinking during the EU FM's November 22 
lunch was to note "progress" but also cite "areas of 
concern."  Siblesz underscored that there had been no change 
in the Dutch position (i.e., timing and conditions do not 
merit a lift, but the GONL will not block consensus).  He 
said that Denmark, Sweden and -- on a limited basis -- the 
Czech Republic have reservations about a lift.  There is also 
significant sensitivity with regard to the timing of the 
Taiwan elections.  Siblesz felt the British were the key to 
the current situation and that a softening of their position 
could change the dynamics towards a quick lift.  Siblesz said 
the Dutch had given indications of the sort of steps that the 
Chinese needed to take to move the process forward such as 
releasing individuals detained in relation to Tiananmen 
Square or signing the UN Convention on Civil and Political 
Rights.  DCM also spoke with DepPolDir Herman Schaper on 
November 23 who said that FM Bot's characterization of the 
EU's "concerns" as "conditions" in his public statements had 
caused confusion.  MFA says these are not in fact conditions, 
noting adamant Chinese opposition to such a characterization. 
 
2. (C) Comment:  The Dutch understand that the U.S. believes 
the "positive signal" coming out of the November 22 GAERC 
goes one step further than we anticipated, but they seem to 
believe that references to addressing human rights concerns 
and strengthening the "toolbox" for post-embargo countries 
create enough obstacles to make a lift of the embargo 
unlikely before the end of their presidency.  FM Bot told the 
Ambassador recently (reftel) the Dutch hope to get past the 
December 17 European council meeting without a decision and 
put the matter into Luxembourg's presidency.  End Comment. 
SOBEL