US embassy cable - 05THEHAGUE3112

S E C R E T THE HAGUE 003112 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PARM, MARR, MASS, NL, VE 
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/VENEZUELA: SEEKING PARITY TO OUR 
VENEZUELA ARMS TRANSFER POLICY 
 
REF: SECSTATE 207628 
 
Classified By: Acting DCM Andrew J. Schofer 
for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d). 
 
1. (S) On November 16, Polcouns shared reftel concerns of 
Venezuelan arms acquisitions with Robert de Groot (Head of 
the Office of Security Policy, MFA).  De Groot said the Dutch 
understood U.S. concerns and were also troubled by Venezuelan 
activities.  He added that the Dutch would continue to look 
for ways to raise Venezuela-related issues in EU fora. 
 
2. (S) On the same day, Defense Attach shared points with 
Maj. Gen. Eikelboom (Director of Operations, MOD).  Eikelboom 
expressed gratitude for the U.S. perspective and requested 
that the points be shared with interlocutors at the MFA. 
 
3. (S) On November 17, Poloff followed up with Dimitri 
Vogelaar (Venezuela Desk Officer, MFA).  Vogelaar welcomed 
the points and reiterated that the Dutch appreciate our 
concerns, particularly with regard to Spanish arms sales to 
Venezuela.  Vogelaar explained that FM Bot plans to speak 
with Spanish FM Moratinos on the margins of an upcoming EU 
meeting in December; he suggested that reftel concerns may 
inform Bot's remarks. 
 
 
BLAKEMAN