US embassy cable - 05THEHAGUE2018

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 002018 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 7/19/15 
TAGS: PREL, NL, UNSC, UNGA 
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/UNSC REFORM: DUTCH COULD SUPPORT G-4 
RESOLUTION DESPITE RESERVATIONS 
 
REF: SECSTATE 132429 
 
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Nathaniel Dean for reasons 1. 
4 (b) and (d) 
 
1,  (C)  Summary:  The Dutch have reservations about the G4 
resolution but could end up voting "yes" if it is the only 
option on the table. End Summary. 
 
2.  (C)  Poloff shared reftel points with Pieter Ramaer (MFA, 
Office Director for UN Political Affairs) on July 18.  The 
Dutch remain undecided on the G4 resolution at a time when 
shifting political currents make it difficult to predict 
which way the wind will blow. Ramaer reiterated that their 
prerequisite remains a resolution including a review clause; 
they also want more clarity on the veto and better criteria 
for determining membership.  The Dutch red line seems to be 
avoiding the failure of UNSC reform this year.  Ramaer 
indicated they could vote "yes" if the G4 resolution, even 
unamended, is the only alternative to failure. 
 
3.  (C)  Reviewing the conflicting arguments they have heard 
recently, Ramaer said the G4 framework is the only viable 
option.  The Uniting for Consensus (UfC) demarche by local 
Ambassadors on Friday, July 15 was "unconvincing,"  Ramaer 
reported, adding that it "gave the impression they only want 
to block Japan and India" They can count only 30 or so votes 
in the UNGA, he added.  However, Ramaer said that on 
"accountability, they have a point."  He said the Dutch tried 
to convince them that the "review clause" mechanism would 
satisfy their concerns and justify their dropping their 
proposal in favor of the G4.  As for the Chinese, Ramaer said 
they signaled dissatisfaction with the G4 draft; they told 
the Dutch that "they value consensus and consultation" and 
warned that "merely two-thirds of the UNGA is not enough 
support" for a successful UNSC reform package.  The Japanese 
concentrated their demarche on the difficulty of justifying 
to their public the added costs that a peacebuilding 
commission or human rights council would entail; the 
implication was that a Japanese UNSC seat was the 
prerequisite for support of broader UN reform, Ramaer 
reported.  Finally, he observed that Germany's lobbying 
effort for the G4 is less effective because it is hampered by 
infighting (in Berlin) and external criticism (in Brussels). 
 
4. (C)  Last week in the UNGA, the Dutch were "surprised by 
the level of negativity in the debate on the G4 draft," 
Ramaer reported, singling out the strong P5 interventions as 
setting the tone.  The Dutch thought the G4 had an edge going 
in, but afterwards their optimistic scenario clouded.  This 
leaves the Dutch in a quandary.  On one hand, they do not 
like the current G4 draft; on the other, they are loathe to 
forego what might be the "last opportunity for UNSC reform in 
a decade."  As for national ratifications of a UNSC reform 
package that might garner only two-thirds support in an UNGA 
vote, Ramaer said the G4 (and the Netherlands) hope the 
momentum of an UNGA success would convince national 
parliaments -- including the U.S. Congress -- to ratify the 
change. 
SOBEL