US embassy cable - 05THEHAGUE3159

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 003159 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/23/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, MARR, NL, PREL 
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/TACTOM: PARLIAMENT GIVES GO AHEAD ON 
TACTOM 
 
REF: THE HAGUE 3024 
 
Classified By: Charge D'Affaires Chat Blakeman, reasons 1.4 (b,d) 
 
1. (C) Summary: The Dutch government secured parliamentary 
approval November 22 to purchase 30 tactical tomahawk 
(TACTOM) missiles for two of its new LC frigates at a cost of 
approximately 57 million EURO.  The Netherlands will become 
only the third country to acquire TACTOM after the United 
States and the United Kingdom.  The Dutch government is 
currently working on an official "letter of request" to the 
U.S. Navy for the purchase.  End summary. 
 
Parliament Votes In Favor of TACTOM 
----------------------------------- 
 
2. (C) On November 22, the Dutch Parliament voted down two 
resolutions tabled from the November 16-17 defense policy 
debates requesting the government to overturn its decision to 
procure 30 TACTOMs from the U.S.  Opposition Labor Party 
(PvdA) spokesman Luuk Blom sponsored the first resolution 
suggesting that TACTOM was not a priority.  The second 
resolution by Socialist Party spokesman Van Velzen described 
the acquisition as undesirable as it would draw Dutch forces 
unwillingly into offensive wars.  By rejecting these 
resolutions, Parliament removed one of the last remaining 
hurdles to Defense Minister Henk Kamp's moving ahead with the 
procurement. The Dutch government is currently drafting an 
official "letter of request" to the U.S. Navy to purchase 
TACTOM, and has requested updated financial information from 
ODC to ensure that the request is in order. 
 
CDA Swings in Favor 
------------------- 
 
3. (C) The Christian Democratic Alliance (CDA) held the 
parliamentary swing on the TACTOM purchase (reftel).  While 
supportive of the acquisition, the CDA had earlier questioned 
whether TACTOM should be a priority following the loss of two 
Chinook transport helicopters and one Apache attack 
helicopter during missions in Afghanistan.  CDA spokesman 
Roland Kortenhorst said November 17 the CDA will support the 
purchase following news that Finance Minister Gerrit Zalm 
would make available additional funds next year to replace 
the helicopters.  CDA joined the Conservative Liberals (VVD) 
and Social Democrats (D-66) to vote down the two opposition 
party resolutions. 
 
Comment: 
------- 
 
4. (C) Although the decision to purchase TACTOM's remains 
controversial and unpopular with large sectors of the public 
and parliament, the rejection of the opposition motions 
clears the way for the government to proceed. 
 
 
BLAKEMAN