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### Viewing cable 07THEHAGUE1994, NETHERLANDS/RUSSIA: MINISTER TIMMERMANS REGRETS

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
07THEHAGUE1994 | 2007-11-15 12:07 | 2011-01-22 17:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy The Hague

`

    VZCZCXYZ0014
    RR RUEHWEB

    DE RUEHTC #1994/01 3191207
    ZNY CCCCC ZZH
    R 151207Z NOV 07
    FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0693
    INFO RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE 0701
    RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0331
    RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1756
    RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 2193
    RUEHPS/USOFFICE PRISTINA 0628
    RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS 0583

` `

    C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 001994

    SIPDIS

    SIPDIS

    E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2017
    TAGS: PHUM PREL EU RU KV YI
    SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/RUSSIA: MINISTER TIMMERMANS REGRETS
    RUSSIA DEALS

    REF: THE HAGUE 1979
    Classified By: Ambassador Roland Arnall for reasons 1.5(b) and (d)

    ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: On November 9, Ambassador met with Dutch MFA
    Minister for European Affairs Timmermans to discuss Russia,
    Kosovo, Afghanistan, French President Sarkozy, Timmermans,
    upcoming trips to the United States, and plans to commemorate
    400 years of American-Dutch relations. Although Timmermans
    officially defended the reasons for recent Dutch-Russian
    energy deals, he privately confessed disappointment. He also
    expressed strong doubt the EU could ever reach consensus on
    Kosovo. Timmermans is visiting New York November 16-18, and
    will also visit Washington DC November 26-28; he is seeking
    high level meetings at State, DOE, NSC, and Capitol Hill (see
    para 8). END SUMMARY.

    Dutch - Russian Relations
    -------------------------

    ¶2. (C) Timmermans stated he was not without concerns about
    the latest Dutch-Russian business agreements. However, he
    must defend the government's policy. (Note: Timmermans
    served previously as a diplomat in Moscow and is known to
    advocate a stronger human rights policy toward Russia. On
    November 8, Timmermans' fellow MP and Labor Party member
    Martijn van Dam criticized PM Balkenende's purported failure
    to publicly discuss human rights during the PM's recent visit
    to Russia.) Timmermans noted that the positive news is that
    engaging Russia is the only way to influence it. There isn't
    a level playing field for energy deals, and the Dutch energy
    sector needs the deals with Russia. If the Russians don't
    make deals and follow through to develop their energy sector,
    they will default on their contracts, and the fallout will
    hit Germany and then the Netherlands. Timmermans concluded
    that he has great concerns...but Russia is not going away.

    Kosovo
    ------

    ¶3. (C) Timmermans noted that Russia was creating havoc in
    the Balkans, and Kosovo will be a messy affair. The
    Russians will react strongly (to a Kosovar declaration of
    independence), and the European reaction will be all over
    the place, I'm afraid. Timmermans was concerned about the
    future implications of the EU's outreach to Kosovo: Kosovo
    is run by people who live off crime...(they have) no other
    means to support themselves.

    Afghanistan
    -----------

    ¶4. (C) Timmermans had just returned from the Dutch cabinet
    meeting, where Afghanistan was discussed only on the
    margins. In principle, the first round of cabinet
    discussions will take place November 16, and everyone wants
    to avoid delay that could mean a January, rather than
    December, parliamentary decision (reftel). For Timmermans,
    setting an 18-24 month time limit on the Uruzgan deployment
    is key -- the deadline should be firm to avoid repeating the
    Dutch debate in two years. (Note: Timmermans' statement
    reflects the view of the Labor Party. Timmermans added that
    his brother will soon go to Afghanistan as a battalion
    commander, and that he thinks about the parents of the dead
    soldiers in Afghanistan.) The Dutch will not disengage from
    Afghanistan any time soon, but will disengage from Uruzgan.
    The French decision to deploy in Uruzgan is very good news,
    though there was an explicit deal between PM Balkenende and
    President Sarkozy -- that the Dutch would deploy to Chad in
    exchange for the French deployment to Afghanistan.

    Sarkozy
    -------

    ¶5. (C) President Sarkozy is creating a wonderful opportunity
    for the EU and the United States. However, the risk is that
    he may overpromise and underdeliver in France and within the
    EU. Sarkozy's steps toward NATO are extraordinary.

    Timmermans' Trip to the United States, Dutch-U.S. Relations
    --------------------------------------------- --------------

    ¶6. (C/NF) Timmermans wants to make the 2009 celebration of
    American-Dutch relations a success. He is working to
    focus organizers during his meetings in New York November
    16-18. He spoke earlier to New York Governor Spitzer about
    the events, and the governor was committed to the issue.
    Queen Beatrix has expressed interest in participating (Note:
    Please protect. Timmermans asked that the information about
    the Queen not be shared.).

    ¶7. (C) Timmermans also commented on Dutch-U.S. relations
    after the 2008 elections -- he does not expect much change.
    There are few differences among the campaigns on foreign
    policy. If the Democrats win the White House, they won't
    disengage from Iraq. If the Republicans win, they won't put
    any less effort into building relations with Europe.

    ¶8. (SBU) Timmermans thanked the ambassador for agreeing to
    help set up meetings for Timmermans' November 26-28 trip to
    Washington. He would like to meet with Energy Secretary
    Bodman, Under Secretaries Burns and Jeffrey, as well as
    senior National Security Council contacts and members of
    Congress.

    COMMENT:
    -------

    ¶9. (C) Although his official portfolio covers European and
    Cultural Affairs, Timmermans is a major behind-the-scenes
    player within the Labor Party (PvdA) on foreign and defense
    policy issues generally, including the Uruzgan extension.
    Timmermans' support, while still in opposition, for sending
    Dutch troops to Uruzgan was one of the key factors convincing
    PvdA leader Wouter Bos to support the original deployment
    decision in 2005. Now that the issue of a new referendum on
    the EU reform treaty has been settled in the Balkenende
    government's favor, Timmermans appears to be focusing on
    European Energy policy as his next big project. His views on
    this subject will carry weight not only within the
    Netherlands, but also in EU circles where he is widely
    respected. End Comment.
    Arnall

`