Iraqi Minister in The Hague
Visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iraq.
By Bonnie Klap, Editor in Chief.
His Excellency, Dr. Saad A.M. Ibrahim Al Ali, Ambassador of Iraq, hosted a dinner reception in his residence in Wassenaar in honor of the visit of His Excellency Mr. Hoshyar Zeebari, Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Repubic of Iraq. Minister Hoshyar Zeebari was in The Netherlands for two functions. First to present the ICJ with a gift, a statue depicting King Hammurabi of Babylon. The code of Hammurabi is a well-preserved Babylonian law code of ancient Iraq. The second function he attended was at OPCW to commemorate the victims of chemical weapons. âAs you know we were victims of chemical weapons ourselves, but this function is to commemorate all the victimsâ the Minister told me. Following the well-attended reception a lavish and delicious dinner-buffet awaited the guests. 
Timothy Broas new US Ambassador
Timothy Broas was nominated by President Barack Obama to be the U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands on January 6, 2014. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on March 13, 2014. Ambassador Broas presented his credentials to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander on March 19, 2014, and has officially taken up his duties as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Mr. Broas was a partner in the litigation department of the Washington, DC office of Winston & Strawn, LLP. He was named in the 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 editions of Best Lawyers in America.
Rym Ben Becher
Interview with Mrs. Rym Ben Becher, spouse of the Ambassador of Tunisia.Â
By Bonnie Klap, Editor in Chief.
What is the best part of being a Diplomatâs wife and what is the more challenging part?
The learning of new languages and getting to know new cultures is a beautiful and large part of our profession. We are accumulating a load of cultural experiences. I find it very stimulating to arrive in a new country and to discover the traditions, the customs, the museums and the literature.
I like to read and when I arrived, I started to read Dutch authors: Hella Haasse, Cees Nooteboom and Anna Enquist. As we moved quite frequently from country to country, the different weather, cultures, languages, friends and relations have allowed me to live several lives. I also think it is a very rewarding profession regarding interpersonal contacts, as it enables us to have contacts with large numbers of people of various professions and conditions.
However, herein lies the challenge: it is necessary to possess considerable resilience and inter-relationship skills. It is these qualities that help in a meaningful way to adapt to the new country and the creation of a new social network. As the new surroundings and the workplace are different from my natural surroundings, which are the Arab-Muslim and the Mediterranean, this makes the challenge even bigger. The separation from family is also difficult, especially when the parents age and feel less inclined to travel.
Tell us a bit about your background, such as education, career.
After studying modern literature, I passed the entrance exam to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Educated in a family of state employees, where the service of the State is sacred, I naturally went into public service. My ideal was to dedicate myself to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I have the rank of Counselor and I served as Deputy Director in the Directorate for the relations to the European Union before following my husband to The Netherlands. The work at the Embassy abroad involves a strong interrelationship in terms of private and professional life.
My professional sacrifice is an act of solidarity with my husband. Being spouse of an Ambassador is a real function, which involves the required work, the representation and the interface with local companies. The possibility of having a double assignment exists, which means having an assignment in the same country, which I carried out in our Embassy in Rome, while my husband worked within our Consulate General in Rome.
What is your favorite place in Tunisia and what is your favorite place in The Netherlands?
Without hesitation I would say that my favorite place is the sea. The sea is really a part of my roots. The Gulf of Tunis is beautiful, dominated by a typical Mediterranean village to which I am very much attached: Sidi Bou Said. My mother was born there and I spent all my Sundays and my vacations at my grandparentsâ home. Tunis as The Hague are cities located near the sea. I feel a sense of satisfaction walking along the sea, the beaches and dunes with its fine sand. The colors and the light remind me of the paintings by Dutch masters from another time. One of my most unusual and exciting experiences was to participate in âWadlopen,â in other words leaving the continent by foot at low tide to reach the Island of Ameland.
The Wadden Islands are located on the Norhern coast. During low tide the sand banks are dry, which allows you to walk. We walked for 4 hours and made a loop of 14 kilometers. I was very slow, the last of our group of ASA! I love sport walks, but this was a big surprise, I did not know anything about this amazing practice to walk in the mud. I had to continually fight to get one foot after the other out of the layers of mud. I have read that this is also called â horizontal climbing.â That excuses my slowness! In retrospect I have to say that, fortunately, there was no wind that day. The challenge would have been bigger!
Music at the Japanese Embassy
Ambassador of Japan presents the Ragazze Quartet
By Bonnie Klap, Editor in Chief.
His Excellency Mr. Masaru Tsuji, Ambassador of Japan, welcomed a number of guests in his residence to attend a concert by the young, Dutch string quartet âRagazze Quartet.â In his welcoming remarks Ambassador Tsuji explained the connection between the Dutch string quartet and Japan, being the fact that the four young ladies will be travelling to Japan in May to compete at the prestigious, 8th Osaka International Chamber Music Competition and Festa. The members of the Ragazze Quartet, one of whom told the audience that they are âpracticing like maniacs,â played pieces of Joseph Haydn, Claude Debussy and the Japanese composer Akira Nishimura. 
Ambassador’s Farewell
By Abhay K.
Â
Farewell Ambassador farewellÂ
By Abhay K.
Sad that you are leaving foreign service fold
But thank you for telling your tale
Your parting wisdom is pure gold
Please keep radiating light
Even if you have retired
Share your thoughts day and night
Diplomatic fraternity isÂ
Farewell Ambassador farewell
Sad that you are leaving foreign service fold
But thank you for telling your tale
Your parting wisdom is pure gold
Please keep radiating light
Even if you have retired
Share your thoughts day and night
Diplomatic fraternity is never tired
The wannabes will closely follow
Your path lit up with golden sun-rays
Remember,wherever you go
Share memories of your diplomatic days
Now light the path of your countrymen
With your acquired wisdom and acumen.
Abhay K., an Indian poet-diplomat, whose idea of an Earth Anthem has been termed by UNESCO as inspiring that could contribute to bring the world together. He is the lyricist of SAARC Song and the winner of SAARC Literary Award  2013. He has authored seven books including five collections of poetry.Â
Connecting Ideas and People
âFoundation Counterpointâ â A different take on connecting ideas and people in The HagueâŠ
By Eelco H. Dykstra, special contributor Diplomat Magazine, The Hague.
On a daily basis, many diplomats are downloading information to the host country theyâre posted in â and uploading information from host country to home country. Hoe effective these efforts are can vary considerably and depends in part on the strength of the network you have and the kind of networking you do.
So, who are the people you have in your network and how do you reach your intended target audiences? The answers to these questions often determine the quality and the impact of your efforts.
In the city of The Hague, compared to other international political capitals such as Washington DC and London, there are surprisingly few truly international and independent âthink-tanksâ. Despite the efforts undertaken by the city of The Hague to profile itself as the city of peace and justice, more can be done to engage and benefit the many international entities and embassies in The Hague. In response to these considerations, a group of approximately 100 professionals from many different disciplines and backgrounds – all with a proven international track record – have come together to form the core of the newly established Foundation Counterpoint.
A resource center and a think tankâŠ.
Foundation Counterpoint is a network organization of professionals from government, private sector, knowledge brokers, the media and the population who are committed to international affairs and the use of common sense. The Foundation is about content but does so with a smile and operates in an informal setting: its activities should be enjoyable if not outright âfunâ for those who participate in it! In The Hague, The Foundation plans to work closely with other organizations including Diplomat Magazine and the International (Parliamentary) Press Centre âNieuwspoortâ and will function as a combination of a âresource centerâ and a âthink-tankâ. The general aim is to pro-actively support the quality and impact of information exchange – within and between international entities and national (target) audiences.
So, what will this Foundation do?
Foundation Counterpoint will assist the diplomatic community in sourcing (local) information for international upload as well as in increasing the local impact of international information by:
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Providing (access to) experts
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Providing information (âresource centerâ)
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Researching specific or complex issues (âin-depth analysisâ)
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (Co-)Organizing events and meetings on internationally relevant themes, complex problems and/or current affairs
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Conducting on-line consultation and dialogue sessions.
Because the Foundationâs participants are held to the Chatham House rule and can participate while remaining anonymous, the network can also be used to work through confidential and/or controversial issues and assignments.
So, what is the âthinkingâ behind the Foundation as a âthink-tankâ?
In its formal deliberations, Foundation Counterpoint uses a 9-step approach[1] by asking the following questions:
Â
A resource center and a think tankâŠ.
Foundation Counterpoint is a network organization of professionals from government, private sector, knowledge brokers, the media and the population who are committed to international affairs and the use of common sense. The Foundation is about content but does so with a smile and operates in an informal setting: its activities should be enjoyable if not outright âfunâ for those who participate in it! In The Hague, The Foundation plans to work closely with other organizations including Diplomat Magazine and the International (Parliamentary) Press Centre âNieuwspoortâ and will function as a combination of a âresource centerâ and a âthink-tankâ. The general aim is to pro-actively support the quality and impact of information exchange – within and between international entities and national (target) audiences.
So, what will this Foundation do?
Foundation Counterpoint will assist the diplomatic community in sourcing (local) information for international upload as well as in increasing the local impact of international information by:
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Providing (access to) experts
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Providing information (âresource centerâ)
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Researching specific or complex issues (âin-depth analysisâ)
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (Co-)Organizing events and meetings on internationally relevant themes, complex problems and/or current affairs
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Conducting on-line consultation and dialogue sessions.
Because the Foundationâs participants are held to the Chatham House rule and can participate while remaining anonymous, the network can also be used to work through confidential and/or controversial issues and assignments.
So, what is the âthinkingâ behind the Foundation as a âthink-tankâ?
In its formal deliberations, Foundation Counterpoint uses a 9-step approach[1] by asking the following questions:
- What â if any â is the âcommon frame of referenceâ here?
- What were previous âlessons learnedâ?
- What is the functional distance between âpolicyâ and âpracticeâ?
- What is the level of fragmentation?
- Is there a disconnection between âbefore, âduringâ and âafterâ?
- Where lays the focus for investing/solutions?
- What is the âuniversal driverâ here?
- How is the âreturn-on-investmentâ determined?
- (How) Are âbest practiceâ and âminimum requirementsâ defined?
[1] ©IKP/DIEM (Washington DC/The Hague) âUniversal Roadblocks Modelâ
Dutch contributions on Nuclear Forensics to NSS2014
By Msc. Hanna Blomaard, Municipality of The Hague
In a world where nuclear terrorism is a potential threat it is important to keep knowledge, policies and techniques in the field of forensics in nuclear security up to date. Nuclear Forensics gained special attention during the Nuclear Security Summit (NSS)2014 in the Hague by presenting the Dutch-led Gift Basket on Forensics in nuclear security. Furthermore, innovations for the future has been presented in the so-called ‘The Hague Innovations Pathway 2014-2019 on Forensics in Nuclear Security’. In the upcoming years towards the final NSS2016 in Washington, the presented innovations will hopefully get further publicity and be used worldwide.
In 2010 at the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington the Netherlands stressed the importance of forensic investigation in case of nuclear security incidents. After a formal request the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI) conducted a study of global initiatives of involving forensic technical investigations in nuclear security incidents. The results of the study and deliverables proposed in a white paper were adopted by the NSS States and formed the key components of the Dutch-led Nuclear Forensics Gift Basket for the NSS2014. The deliverables include a Nuclear Forensics Lexicon, a survey of good practices and an education and training curriculum supported by a knowledge platform to facilitate international discussion and knowledge-sharing. The NFI has developed these initiatives but due to the rapidly changing field of forensics in nuclear security, regular updates and maintenance of the contents are essential. At the NSS2014 Gift Basket Event âForensics in Nuclear Securityâ in January at The Hague, delegations from several NSS States and international experts discussed a variety of possible forensic innovations and the future potential for the Gift Basket in support of the Nuclear Security Summits during the next five years.
The outcomes of the recent discussions in The Hague have been used in designing the document Innovations Pathway 2014-2019 which explores the required innovations and the development of examination methods to investigate a nuclear security incident. The selected topics that have been focussed on are innovations towards a national action plan, âcrime sceneâ and laboratory expert methods, education developments, ideas for more collaboration and knowledge-sharing and the future potential of the Dutch-led Gift Basket. The Innovations Pathway addresses the importance of continuously developing the field of forensics in nuclear security in relation to the NSS including the innovations that need to be developed and validated running up to the NSS2016 and beyond. Signing  a Joint Statement at the NSS2014 is a first step, but further recognition and notification is needed. We certainly encourage your diplomat network in The Hague, in addition to the Dutch ambassadors and networks abroad, to spread the word. For further information on âThe Hague Innovations Pathway 2014-2019, please contact hanna.blomaard@denhaag.nl .
OPCW Fact-Finding Mission in Syria
OPCW to Undertake Fact-Finding Mission in Syria on Alleged Chlorine Gas Attacks
At a meeting of the OPCW Executive Council held recently, the Director-General announced the creation of an OPCW mission to establish facts surrounding allegations of use of chlorine in Syria.
The Syrian government, which has agreed to accept this mission, has undertaken to provide security in areas under its control. The mission will carry out its work in the most challenging circumstances.
Delegations speaking at todayâs Executive Council meeting expressed their full support for this mission. The UN Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon has also expressed his support and assured the assistance of the United Nations in meeting the significant security and logistical demands of this mission.
The team is expected to depart for Syria soon.
A smile and a thoughtâŠ.
 Column by Eelco H. Dykstra, MD for Diplomat Magazine
Eelco Dykstra writes a monthly column called âA smile and a thoughtâŠâ The columns put a playful spotlight on the interface between the Dutch and the International Community it hosts. Yes, his musings may appear at times to be mildly provocative at first sight but they are first and foremost playful â with a little irony thrown in here and there⊠You be the judge!
His columns are intended to give you âa smile and a thoughtâ. A smile because perhaps you hadnât quite looked at something that way and a thought because the column may leave you wonderingâŠ
âMisbehavior diplomats no longer toleratedâ
This headline in the Dutch daily newspaper De Volkskrant of April 24, certainly draws attention â as headlines are supposed to doâŠ
So it is time â to read on.
The article reports on a cabinet level decision initiated by two ministers (Foreign Affairs and Safety & Justice) to apply pressure on misbehaving diplomats by ânaming and shamingâ them for not paying traffic fines imposed for illegal parking and speeding.
A âcabinet levelâ decision? Two ministers?
Surely we must be talking about an issue with a very high priority, perhaps even an issue of national interest?
So it is time â to read on.
Applying pressure by ânaming and shamingâ?
This is not new – nor news. As the article confirms, a list of the top-10 countries with most transgressions, i.e. unpaid traffic fines, had already been publicly announced by the Netherlandsâ Ministry of Foreign Affairs in September of 2013. On the list were, from top to bottom, the embassies of Russia, China, UAE, Iran, Egypt, Indonesia, Morocco, Bosnia I Herzegovina, Ghana and Malaysia. It is well known that under the rules of the Vienna Treaty, diplomats enjoy varying levels of âdiplomatic immunityâ for these kinds of things, so how effective is this ânaming and shamingâ method? We donât know because no information was provided on that one.
So it is time â to read on.
Misbehaving diplomats?
There are about 20,000 diplomats and family members who live in the Netherlands. By their own admission, Dutch government officials confirm that this group of 20,000 people is âin comparison to the average Dutch person, considerably less likely to violate the lawâ. That being the case, why then single out this group for the ânaming and shamingâ method?
So it is time â to read on.
According to sources from within the Dutch government, weâre talking about unpaid traffic tickets totaling ⏠500,000 over a five-year period. That is the same as ⏠100,000 per year and divided by the 20,000 people, we arrive at ⏠5 per person within the group of diplomats and family members.
Let us reverse this calculation.
Since the diplomats and their family members are less likely to violate the law, letâs put the amount of unpaid traffic tickets for the average Dutch person at ⏠8. Multiply this with the 17.5 million inhabitants of the Netherlands and we arrive at ⏠140,000,000 in unpaid traffic fines.
140 million Euroâs?
Such an amount is certainly worthy of making this a cabinet-level issue requiring decisive action by more than just two ministries â the Ministry of Finance being one of the firsts⊠It seems therefore almost certain that, after the ânaming and shamingâ campaign aimed at diplomats and their family members, we can now equally look forward to a new ânaming and shamingâ campaign addressed at the Dutch population, wouldnât you agree?
Let us think about how this campaign would work. For instance by listing a top-10 of cities with most misbehavior? Or perhaps by listing the top-10 places where Dutch citizens park their vehicles in spaces reserved and marked with âFor use by diplomats onlyâ?
âMisbehavior diplomats no longer toleratedâ.    Is this a case of âplaying to the galleryâ? Is this a Dutch âtoneelstukjeâ? Is this âpolitics as usualâ?
You tell me.
So it is time â to move on.