US embassy cable - 05THEHAGUE3141

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 003141 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DOD FOR DASD WHELAN 
STATE FOR EUR/UBI/REITER AND S/CRS 
USEU FOR LERNER AND BRENNER 
PRETORIA FOR KAY 
USNATO FOR UNDERWOOD 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/18/2015 
TAGS: PREL, MCAP, NL, MASS, XA 
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/SOUTH AFRICA: READOUT OF DAVID 
RADCLIFFE'S VISIT TO THE HAGUE 
 
REF: A. THE HAGUE 2973 
 
     B. THE HAGUE 2465 
 
Classified By: Acting DCM Andrew Schofer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) Summary:  DOD Regional Director for Southern Africa 
David Radcliffe's November 10 visit to The Hague successfully 
followed up DASD Whelan's earlier meetings here by 
capitalizing on renewed Dutch interest in South Africa. 
Radcliffe's discussions with Dutch MFA and MOD interlocutors 
spurred progress in three areas.  First, Dutch counterparts 
may review the prioritized list of training needs that South 
Africans plan to submit under the ACOTA framework and 
identify areas where Dutch initiatives can complement those 
undertaken by the U.S. in order to maximize efficiencies. 
Second, the Dutch are receptive to U.S. interest in engaging 
the South Africans in regional maritime security initiatives; 
the GONL may extend an invitation to the South Africans to 
send an observer during the upcoming period of Dutch command 
of Task Force 150.  Finally, the Dutch are enthusiastic about 
engaging the South African Military through NATO. 
Radcliffe's visit reportedly inspired the Dutch permanent 
representative to NATO to request a briefing from USNATO 
about related U.S. activities. End Summary. 
 
2.  (C) On November 10, David Radcliffe, DOD Regional 
Director for Southern Africa, met with officials from the 
Foreign Affairs and Defense Ministries to give them a readout 
of his recent meetings with representatives of the South 
African National Defense Force (SANDF) and discuss ways to 
bolster the SANDF's effectiveness. Dutch interlocutors 
included Lt. Col. Mike Calmeyer Meijburg (Netherlands Defense 
Attache to South Africa), Hans Theunissen (Head, Southern 
Africa Division, MFA), Lt. Col. Peter Froling (Chief, 
Bi-/Multilateral Cooperation, MOD), Martin Koper (Security 
Advisor, Sub-Saharan Africa Department, MFA), and Jan Geert 
Siccama (Deputy Director for Policy, MOD). 
 
3.  (C) Dutch officials echoed Radcliffe's assessment of the 
SANDF's declining capabilities.  Consequently, in October the 
Dutch signed a memorandum of understanding with the GOSA to 
support SANDF regional peace and security operations with 
funds and training (ref A).  MFA and MOD officers seized on 
three initiatives from Radcliffe's presentation: SANDF's List 
of Prioritized Training under the African Contingency 
Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) framework, 
Regional Maritime Security, and cooperation between NATO and 
the South African Development Community (SADC). 
 
SANDF's Training Priorities and ACOTA 
------------------------------------- 
 
4.  (C) Radcliffe explained that the SANDF has agreed to 
compile a prioritized list of training the U.S. could provide 
under the ACOTA program.  He asked if the Dutch would 
consider coordinating with us to provide training.  The Dutch 
eagerly accepted the offer, and welcomed more information on 
ACOTA.  Koper said assisting with ACOTA programs might be a 
ready way for Dutch forces to gain experience working in 
Africa. The Dutch invited ACOTA program coordinators to visit 
the Hague as soon as possible. 
 
Regional Maritime Security 
-------------------------- 
 
5.  (C) On the issue of maritime security, Radcliffe noted 
South Africa's relatively advanced Navy and our desire for an 
African regional effort to police the southwest Indian Ocean. 
 Seizing on this point, Siccama referenced his minister's 
comments on maritime security at the recent NATO informal 
ministerial in Berlin (ref B).  Piracy in the Straits of 
Malacca and off Somalia has affected Dutch shipping, he 
explained.  Siccama added that the Netherlands would have 
command of Task Force 150 (TF150) from December to May 2006. 
He suggested that, in the interest of facilitating South 
African familiarization with TF150 activities, the Dutch 
could take a South African officer on board its flagship 
during that time. 
 
NATO-SADC Cooperation 
--------------------- 
 
6.  (C) Radcliffe also said his staff, along with Embassy 
Pretoria, are looking at how NATO can share with SADC its 
experiences building a common security architecture.  Dutch 
officials reacted positively to the idea.  In a subsequent 
discussion with poloff, Hans Sandee (Head of Security and 
Defense Policy, MFA) said that, pursuant to Radcliffe's 
presentation, the Dutch NATO permrep Herman Schaper had 
raised the issue during a NATO recess meeting.  Sandee said 
Schaper wanted to continue looking at the possibility and 
suggested USNATO staff contact him directly. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
7.  (C) Comment:  The Great Lakes peace process is a top 
foreign policy priority for the Dutch, and they view SANDF's 
capabilities as critical to peace in that region in 
particular and African security in general.  The Dutch are 
looking for concrete ways to use their MOU with the GOSA; 
Radcliffe's suggestions are coming at an opportune time. 
More broadly, the GONL is looking for ways its military can 
complement development ministry security sector reform 
programs viewed as critical to African development.  As one 
MFA official put it, "the Netherlands is just beginning its 
support of the security sector in Africa."  We should keep 
the Dutch in mind when considering partners for security 
sector reform and disarmament programs in Africa.  End 
Comment. 
 
8.  (C) Radcliffe has cleared this cable. 
BLAKEMAN