C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000680 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 
08/10/2018 TAGS: PREL, KCFC, NATO, PARM, NL, GG SUBJECT: 
NETHERLANDS/GEORGIA: SEEKING "BALANCED" NAC STATEMENT REF: SECSTATE 
85678 Classified By: Political Economic Counselor Andrew C. Mann for 
reasons 1.5(b,d) 

1. (C) SUMMARY: The Dutch MFA has not reached a final 
position on the August 12 NAC statement but the first reaction is to 
seek a more balanced, less Russia-focused document. In other 
developments, the EU will hold a special GAERC session on Georgia on 
August 13; the Dutch are very concerned about situation in Georgia. END 
SUMMARY.

"FIRST THOUGHTS" ON NAC STATEMENT: "EMPHASIZE EVEN-HANDEDNESS" 
-------------------------------------------------------------- 

2. (SBU)
Ambassador Culbertson delivered reftel to Ms. Renee Jones Bos, 
Ambassador-Designate to the United States and DG for Regional and 
Consular Affairs, and Jones-Bos's deputy, Mr. Jan Henneman. Poloff 
discussed reftel points to MFA NATO desk, the Deputy Director for North 
American Affairs, and the Deputy Director for Southeastern and Eastern 
Europe. Army Attache and poloff delivered reftel points to MOD NATO 
desk. Army Attache delivered reftel points to Pieter-Henk Schoor, Policy
Coordinator International Affairs and Operations at the MOD General 
Policy Department. 

3. (C) Dutch MFA staff Carin Lobbezoo, deputy chief 
for East Europe and Central Asian Affairs, and Johanneke de Hoogh, 
Senior Policy Officer for NATO Affairs, told poloff their "first 
thoughts" were to "emphasize even-handedness," as the U.S. draft is "a 
bit too focused on Russia." The document should appeal for a cease fire.
The Dutch would support language from past EU statements calling on 
Russia to respect Georgian sovereignty. Asked whether the Russians were 
more at fault, De Hoogh stated that Georgia started the conflict, that 
reports from Moscow suggest the campaign is ending, and the Dutch want 
to keep dialogue open. Although the NATO-Russia Council has produced 
little, the Dutch want to maintain Russian participation in efforts such
as Operation Active Endeavor. On the other hand, Lobbezoo noted the 
conflict is a "clear overreaction by the Russians."

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS: 
------------------- 

4. (C) Lobbezoo reported that FMs Stubb and Kouchner
will debrief on their visit to Tbilisi and Moscow at an August 13 
special GAERC meeting. The Dutch support the EU presidency's efforts to 
de-escalate the situation, promote a ceasefire, and deliver humanitarian
aid. 

5. (C) The Dutch embassy in Tbilisi has confirmed bombings in 
Georgia. Lobbezoo indicates it's "worrying" that Georgia port and other 
non-military facilities have been bombed. The banking system has 
collapsed.

Culbertson