US embassy cable - 05THEHAGUE3144

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Identifier:	05THEHAGUE3144
Wikileaks:	View 05THEHAGUE3144 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy The Hague
Created:	2005-11-23 06:26:00
Classification:	CONFIDENTIAL
Tags:	PREL PHUM PTER NL CIA
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 003144 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/22/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PHUM, PTER, NL, CIA 
SUBJECT: DUTCH DEMARCHE ON SECRET PRISONS, CIA PLANES 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Chat Blakeman 
for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d). 
 
1. (C) SUMMARY: The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has 
made a formal request for information regarding recent news 
reports of secret USG prisons and CIA-contracted planes 
landing at Dutch airports.  Both issues have figured 
prominently in the Dutch press in recent weeks and promise to 
be topics of discussion during upcoming appearances by 
Foreign Minister Bot and Prime Minister Balkenende before the 
Dutch Parliament.  Post requests Department's guidance in 
addressing MFA's request.  END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (C) The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs made a formal 
request on November 22 for information regarding recent news 
reports of secret USG prisons in Eastern Europe and 
CIA-contracted planes landing at Dutch airports.  Charge said 
he would convey the request to Washington. 
 
3. (C) In response to questions by Jos Schellars (Deputy 
Director, Western Hemisphere Department, MFA) and Petra 
Steinen (Deputy Head, North America Section, MFA), Charge 
also shared Secretary Rice's remarks at a November 8 
Department press briefing in which she addressed the prisons 
issue. 
 
4. (C) Schellars noted both issues have figured prominently 
in the Dutch press in recent weeks.  Foreign Minister Bot 
will participate in budgetary discussions in Parliament on 
November 23 and 24 and will most likely face questions about 
both issues, Schellars explained.  Schellars added that Prime 
Minister Balkenende is appearing before Parliament today and 
probably will face similar questions. 
 
5. (C) Schellars urged the U.S. to provide as much 
information as possible and pointed to Bot's recent comments 
that the U.S. should not "play hide and seek" with regard to 
the prisons.  Schellars said the prison issue is playing a 
role "in the background" of ongoing debate about Dutch 
military involvement in Afghanistan. 
BLAKEMAN