US embassy cable - 05THEHAGUE2252

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 002252 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
EUR/UBI - EFALLS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUMIZNL 
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/IRAQ: RETURN OF DUTCH DONATION FOR 
IRAQ MISSING PERSONS ACTIVITIES 
 
REF: A. STATE 137455 
 
     B. TRAUB/FALLS EMAILS OF 8/10/05 AND PREVIOUS 
 
Sensitive but unclassified. Please treat accordingly. 
 
1.  (U)  This is an action request.  Please see para 4. 
 
2.  (SBU)  Poloff met Dirk Klaasen and Sari Holthuis (MFA, 
Department of Political Affairs) and shared the detailed 
explanation and apology contained in reftel, regarding the 
unspent 300,000 grant from the Government of the Netherlands 
to support a project in conjunction with the Iraqi National 
Bureau of Missing Persons.  The Dutch accepted the USG's 
explanation and apology and requested it be sent formally by 
letter, which the Embassy will do.  The Dutch also asked that 
the 300,000 euro be returned to Rabobank Utrecht account 
number 192321994, with the notation "DPZ/Iraqi national 
bureau of missing persons grant number 8817."  Poloff assured 
the Dutch that this would be done within two to three 
business days, as promised in reftel, by direct transfer from 
the Embassy. 
 
3.  (SBU)  Looking to future collaborative projects, the 
Dutch Division for Middle East and Northern African Affairs 
is willing to consider funding new projects in Iraq in 
conjunction with the USG, perhaps again supporting missing 
persons activities.  In this regard, they are studying 
various options informally discussed between Emboffs and the 
MFA, based on informal Department discussions with the 
Embassy in this regard. Klaasen emphasized that any new 
project would require careful planning, coordination, and 
follow through so as not to repeat the problems recently 
experienced with the current project.  He noted the GoNL 
would not want to transfer a grant to the Iraqis directly, 
for accountability reasons, but would rather work with the 
USG to identify an executing partner agreeable to all sides. 
 
4. (SBU)  ACTION REQUEST:  Embassy requests Department 
provide a fund cite for use in returning the 300,000 euro 
grant to the Dutch within two to three business days. 
SOBEL