Cablegate: Netherlands/Afghan Elections: Dutch Prepared To

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 002124

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PK AF IR NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/AFGHAN ELECTIONS: DUTCH PREPARED TO
APPROACH IRAN ON IOM VISAS, BUT MORE FUNDING FOR ELECTIONS
DOUBTFUL

REF: A. (A) STATE 179808
B. (B) STATE 180351

1. Poloff delivered ref A and B messages August 23 to Wilfred
Mohr, Head of the Dutch MFA's South Asia Division. With
regard to ref A request that the Dutch approach Iran on out
of country registration and voting, Mohr acknowledged that
the Government of Iran "needs to do more." He revealed that
in its EU Presidency capacity, the Dutch government had
sought EU approval to approach Tehran on behalf of the EU to
press for "stepped up IOM and visa efforts." Mohr said he
believed that the approach would take place on Thursday or
Sunday in Tehran. In an August 25 follow-up conversation,
Mohr confirmed that instructions to deliver a demarche on
this subject had been sent to the Dutch mission in Tehran.
The IOM, however, had in the meantime reported an improved
situation (Iranian MFA had prepared 16 visas and 16 were
still pending) and now reportedly believed that "a demarche
would not be necessary at this time." Mohr indicated that
the Dutch would "standby" until the status of the remaining
visa requests became clear. Separately, Joep Damoiseaux, the
Head of Asylum and Migration Affairs at the MFA, told poloff
on August 25 that IOM officers "are encouraged and feel an
intervention at MFA is not necessary at present."

2. Regarding ref B message on UNAMA's funding gap, Mohr said
August 23 that the Dutch had pledged nearly 8 million euros -
5 for registration and nearly 3 for the actual elections -
all of which had already been transferred. Mohr noted that
EUR 850,000 had originally been paid to UNDP for the Loya
Jirga Conference (which, in the Dutch view, had been
"overfunded"). The GoNL later agreed that these funds should
be transferred into the elections account (Note: This
probably accounts for the USD 930,000 ref B cites as
"committed but not yet disbursed.") and that such
disbursement should be a UNDP rather than GoNL action. Mohr
said the GoNL had not foreseen a UNAMA budget shortfall and
is not presently in a position to contribute further. Mohr
confirmed August 25 that no further funding is available at
this time.
RUSSEL

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