US embassy cable - 05THEHAGUE2904

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 002904 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EUR/RPM, EUR/UBI AND SA/A 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/26/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, MARR, AF, NL, REL, EUN 
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/AFGHANISTAN: ISAF STAGE III PLANS KEEP 
CHUGGING ALONG 
 
REF: STATE 183533 
 
Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Andrew Schofer, reasons 1 
.4 (b,d) 
 
1. (C) Summary: MFA Deputy Head of Conflict Prevention and 
Crisis Operations Joop Nijssen described recent 
Dutch-Australian discussions on a possible ISAF Stage III 
partnership in Uruzghan province as "extremely positive". 
Australian troop contribution offers exceeded Dutch 
expectations, while discussions on rules of engagement and 
detainee management were constructive, Nijssen said.  He also 
reviewed plans for the Hungarian takeover of the Dutch PRT in 
Baghlan province, and discussed the possibility of allowing 
U.S. civilians currently in Uruzghan to continue their work 
once the Dutch/Australian PRT is operational.  Nijssen made 
these comments to Polmiloff on October 25.  End summary. 
 
Delegation to Canberra A Success 
-------------------------------- 
 
2. (C) Having just returned from high-level Dutch-Australian 
consultations in Canberra, MFA Deputy Head of Conflict 
Prevention and Crisis Operations Joop Nijssen told Polmiloff 
on October 25 that the discussion on a possible Stage III 
partnership in Uruzghan province had been "extremely 
positive."  He noted that the Dutch and Australian sides had 
"good chemistry," and it was clear that they would be able to 
form a "natural partnership."  According to Nijssen, the 
Australians have offered to contribute 300-400 troops plus 
heavy-transport helicopters -- more than the 200-300 troops 
the Dutch had originally anticipated. 
 
3. (C) Nijssen stressed that "bureaucratic boxes" in both the 
Dutch and Australian governments must first be checked, 
beginning with a Dutch Cabinet decision on November 4, and 
followed by an Australian Council of Ministers decision on 
November 8.  He noted that the Dutch Cabinet decision will 
refer to a "relevant military partner" without specifically 
naming Australia, and added that the Australian government 
has agreed to this approach.  Dutch parliamentary debate 
would follow two weeks later.  (Note: Following their 
experience during the Srebrenica massacre, Dutch governments 
prefer to make military deployment decisions backed by a 
parliamentary super-majority, usually to include the main 
opposition party.  End note.) 
 
4. (C) Nijssen said that the Australians made it clear that 
other states had approached Canberra regarding partnering in 
Afghanistan -- in this respect, the timely USG demarche to 
Canberra (reftel) in support of a Dutch-Australian 
partnership had been most helpful.  He added that for 
political reasons, the Australians said they planned to "keep 
options open" as a formality, but would ultimately team with 
the Dutch.  Nijssen hoped that the Australians were being 
sincere and doubted the Dutch would "get burned".  He added 
that discussion regarding rules of engagement and detainee 
management had been constructive, and that the recent 
establishment of an Australian liaison cell at NATO also has 
been helpful. 
 
Hungarian PRT Handover 
---------------------- 
 
5. (C) Nijssen said that the Hungarians have made several 
pleas to speed up the Dutch decision-making on Stage III so 
that Budapest can make public its plans to assume command of 
the Dutch PRT in Baghlan province prior to the upcoming 
Hungarian elections.  The Dutch understand Budapest's 
impatience, he added, but the Stage III decision timeline has 
been set.  According to Nijssen, the Dutch hope to have an 
answer to the Hungarians in two weeks time; until then, the 
Dutch have asked that the Hungarians "keep a low profile" 
regarding the PRT handover.  If all goes according to plan, 
the Dutch and Hungarians should begin negotiations soon to 
ensure a smooth transition in October 2006. 
 
6. (C) Nijssen added that the Hungarian Ambassador to the 
Netherlands had requested assistance from the Dutch in order 
to help make the transition a success.  Nijssen said that the 
Dutch would hand over their base in Pol-e Khomri and "a 
little bit more," but doubted this would include much 
equipment.  He added that discussions were on-going between 
the Dutch MOD and the Hungarian DATT.  He also said that the 
Dutch government had recently earmarked five million Euros 
for reconstruction assistance in Baghlan.  In the event that 
the Dutch did not spend the money prior to the handover in 
October 2006, they would consider teaming with the Hungarians 
in a "silent partnership" to ensure that the money is spent 
in Baghlan.  The Dutch would not/not take this money with 
them to Uruzghan, he said. 
 
U.S. Civilians in Uruzghan? 
--------------------------- 
 
7. (C) Polmiloff noted interest in Washington regarding 
allowing U.S. contractors and civilians currently in Uruzghan 
province to continue their work once the Dutch PRT becomes 
operational.  Nijssen said that the Dutch Embassy in 
Washington had received a request on this issue; the MFA is 
now coordinating a response.  He explained that the Dutch are 
not opposed to one or two U.S. civilians working in Uruzghan, 
as the Dutch recognize that the southern province will be 
much more of a challenge, and any help would be appreciated. 
However, from a public relations standpoint, Nijssen said 
that the Dutch and Australians would prefer a "firewall" 
between their PRT and U.S. civilians, especially after the 
desecration of remains by U.S. soldiers.  Polmiloff and 
Nijssen agreed to discuss the issue further pending 
instructions from Washington. 
 
 
BLAKEMAN