

Currently released so far... 6239 / 251,287
Articles
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Amsterdam
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lagos
Mission USNATO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Browse by tag
ASEC
AU
AORC
AF
AM
AFIN
AEMR
AR
ASIG
AMGT
AG
APER
AL
ABLD
ASUP
AA
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AE
AMED
AS
AGMT
APECO
AO
AFFAIRS
AJ
ACOA
AX
AROC
ATFN
ASEAN
AFGHANISTAN
ADCO
AFU
AER
ALOW
AODE
ABUD
ATRN
AID
AC
AVERY
APCS
CASC
CJAN
CVIS
CS
COUNTER
CD
CU
CI
CO
CG
CE
CA
CMGT
CH
CWC
CBW
CKGR
CR
CN
CPAS
CONS
CDG
CLINTON
CT
CJUS
CY
CV
COUNTERTERRORISM
CIA
CACM
CDB
CAN
COE
CM
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CACS
CF
CONDOLEEZZA
CARSON
CL
CIS
CODEL
CTM
CB
COM
ECON
EFIN
ETRD
EAIR
EAID
ET
EFIS
ENRG
EPET
ETTC
ER
EG
EINV
EAGR
ELAB
EUN
EWWT
ENGR
EMIN
ECIN
ENIV
ES
EC
ECPS
EIND
EI
EU
ENVI
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ELTN
EZ
EINT
ELN
EUR
EUNCH
EN
EINVECONSENVCSJA
ELECTIONS
EINVEFIN
ENNP
ECUN
EXTERNAL
EK
EFINECONCS
ECINECONCS
ECIP
EINDETRD
EUC
EREL
ENVR
ECA
ENERG
ENGY
ETRO
EFTA
ECONCS
ECONOMICS
ECONEFIN
EINVETC
EINN
ESA
ETC
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ESENV
ETRDECONWTOCS
IR
IZ
IWC
IC
ILC
IO
IAEA
IN
IS
IT
ICRC
INTELSAT
ILO
IBRD
IMF
ICAO
IMO
ITALY
ITALIAN
IRAQI
ITRA
ISRAELI
ICJ
IACI
INTERPOL
ID
IV
ICTY
IQ
IPR
INRB
ITPHUM
IIP
IL
IA
INR
ITPGOV
IZPREL
IRC
INRA
INRO
IRAJ
IEFIN
IF
KE
KCRM
KDRG
KIPR
KCOR
KSCA
KBIO
KDEM
KMCA
KMPI
KNNP
KJUS
KOMC
KGHG
KSUM
KSTC
KIRF
KTIP
KWMN
KZ
KG
KTFN
KHLS
KPAO
KFRD
KTIA
KOLY
KCFE
KISL
KFLU
KPKO
KWBG
KTBT
KTDB
KOCI
KUNR
KAWK
KICC
KPAL
KSTH
KN
KS
KGIC
KNPP
KWAC
KMDR
KAWC
KBCT
KIDE
KFLO
KWMNCS
KSEP
KU
KNEI
KVPR
KACT
KRAD
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCIP
KSAF
KV
KSPR
KPRP
KFSC
KCRS
KR
KRFD
KX
KO
KPWR
KMIG
KSEC
KIFR
KDEMAF
KFIN
KGCC
KPIN
KHIV
KPLS
KIRC
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KGIT
KBTS
KPRV
KBTR
KERG
KWMM
KRVC
KNSD
KVIR
KNUP
KTER
KDDG
KHSA
KMRS
KHDP
KTLA
KPAK
KNAR
KREL
KPAI
KTEX
KCOM
KNNPMNUC
KPOA
KLIG
KHUM
KDEV
KNUC
KCFC
KREC
KOMS
KWWMN
MASS
MP
MARR
MOPS
MNUC
MX
MO
MCAP
MY
ML
MU
MIL
MC
MTRE
MA
MD
MTCRE
MEPI
MAR
MRCRE
MR
MV
MPOS
MZ
MEPP
MOPPS
MAPP
MASC
MT
MERCOSUR
MK
MDC
MI
MAPS
MCC
MASSMNUC
MQADHAFI
MUCN
MTCR
MG
OVIP
OREP
OTRA
OSCE
OECD
OIIP
OEXC
OPCW
OPIC
OPDC
OPRC
ODIP
OVP
OSCI
OAS
OFDP
OTR
OSAC
OIC
OFFICIALS
OIE
PREL
PGOV
PHUM
PTER
PE
PINR
PINS
PARMS
PARM
PHSA
PA
PK
PBTS
PO
PREF
POL
PLN
POLITICS
PROP
PL
PM
PAO
PSI
PG
PEPR
POV
PALESTINIAN
PINT
PSOE
PU
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PBIO
PECON
PAK
POGOV
PINL
PKFK
PMIL
PY
PFOR
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PRAM
PMAR
PGOVLO
PUNE
PORG
PHUMPREL
PF
POLINT
PHUS
PGOC
PNR
PGGV
PNAT
PGOVE
PRGOV
PRL
PROV
PTERE
PGOF
PHUMBA
PINF
PEL
SNAR
SO
SENV
SU
SCUL
SOCI
SP
SC
SA
SMIG
SAN
SZ
SW
SN
SY
SR
SL
SEVN
SF
SYR
SI
SG
STEINBERG
SIPRS
SH
SNARCS
SOFA
SANC
SHUM
SK
ST
TERRORISM
TRGY
TZ
TX
TBIO
TSPA
TS
TSPL
TW
TU
TD
TIP
TURKEY
TP
TI
TC
TPHY
TH
TO
TK
TNGD
TINT
TRSY
TR
TFIN
TT
UG
UK
UP
UNGA
UNHRC
UZ
UN
UNAUS
USTR
UNSC
US
UNEP
UY
UNESCO
USUN
UNHCR
UAE
UNMIK
USEU
UV
UNO
UNDP
UNCHS
UNVIE
UNCHC
UE
UNDESCO
USAID
UNDC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 04THEHAGUE2864, VAN GOGH KILLING SHOCKS DUTCH NATION
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #04THEHAGUE2864.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
04THEHAGUE2864 | 2004-11-05 13:01 | 2011-01-20 21:09 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy The Hague |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 002864
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR NL
SUBJECT: VAN GOGH KILLING SHOCKS DUTCH NATION
¶1. (SBU) Summary: The brutal murder November 3 of prominent
Dutch film director/personality Theo van Gogh by a Dutch
Moroccan in bright daylight in an Amsterdam street has
rocked Dutch society. The murder recalls the assassination
in 2002 of maverick politician Pim Fortuyn, who, like Van
Gogh, criticized Islam and challenged political
correctness. Dutch politicians and opinion makers
universally condemned the attack as a blow against free
speech and democracy, but the killing also spotlighted the
growing problem of pockets of Islamic extremists in the
Netherlands. The killing coincides with changes in the
GoNL's counterterrorism system and criticism of Dutch
security services. While some politicians called for tough
action against those who aim to undermine the principles of
our society, others warned against seeking simple
solutions. The government urged the nation to stay calm and
to refrain from retaliation against certain groups.
Security measures have been taken and public protests thus
far have been largely peaceful. End summary.
The Assassination
-----------------
¶2. (U) The cold-blooded murder of Theo van Gogh, as he was
riding his bike along an Amsterdam street on the morning of
November 3, hit the Netherlands like a bombshell. Van Gogh
was a well-known publicist, movie director and opinion maker
(and grandson of Van Gogh's brother Theo) with outspoken
opinions, whose blunt criticism of Islam had often provoked
sharp criticism within Islamic circles. Recently, he made a
film called Submission with Liberal (VVD) parliamentarian
Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a staunch fighter for the liberation of
Muslim women, about the abuse of Muslim women. The film
showed women in transparent robes on whose bodies were
projected texts from the Koran that are hostile to women.
The film triggered fierce protests from Muslim circles, and
both Van Gogh and Hirsi Ali received death threats. Hirsi
Ali accepted police protection, Van Gogh reportedly did not.
The Killer
----------
¶3. (U) According to press reports, the murder appeared to
take the form of a ritual execution. Van Gogh was shot
multiple times, stabbed, and the killer attempted to behead
him. The murderer left a knife stuck in his chest (clearly
visible in press photos) and pinned a five-page pamphlet to
his body that called for a Jihad against infidels. The
murderer, apprehended after a brief shootout in which a
policeman was wounded, carried a farewell letter.
¶4. (U) Dutch police revealed that the murderer was a 26-year
old inhabitant of Amsterdam with both Dutch and Moroccan
citizenship. The press identified him as Mohammed B., born
and raised in Amsterdam. One newspaper reported that
Mohammed B. went twice on a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia in
recent years. He is said to be affiliated with the radical
El Tawheed mosque, and is an associate of Samir Azzouz, a
Moroccan in prison on suspicion of preparing terrorist
attacks on Schiphol, the Second Chamber and the Borssele
nuclear plant.
¶5. (SBU) Embarrassingly for the government, press reports
note that the suspect had been known to the Dutch National
Intelligence Agency for some time. Internal Affairs Minister
Remkes told parliament on November 3 that the suspect was to
be found around a group of extremist Muslims that has the
AIVD's attention, but he did not belong to the core group.
According to Remkes and Justice Minister Donner, the
assassin may have acted on grounds of radical Islamic
convictions, but the available information gave no cause
to assume that he was making preparations for violent
actions.
More arrests
------------
¶6. (U) On November 3-4, Dutch police arrested eight radical
Muslims youths (six Moroccans, a Spanish Moroccan and an
Algerian) between the ages of 19 and 27. During house
searches, computers, books and fundamentalist pamphlets were
seized. The arrested Muslims reportedly belonged to the
same Islamic circles as Mohammed.
Reactions
---------
¶7. (U) The entire nation reacted with outrage to the
killing. The Queen, Prime Minister, cabinet members,
politicians, media and spokesmen for Muslim organizations
all condemned the murder as a blatant attack on the
traditional Dutch values of free speech and democracy.
Although the government allowed and encouraged peaceful
demonstrations of sympathy following the murder, it also
took quick action to discourage rioting, such as posting
additional police to key areas and blocking off certain
areas of major cities from demonstrations. Amsterdam Mayor
Job Cohen warned against reactions based on hatred and fear
between native Dutch and Moroccans on either side. Noting
that the Amsterdam population of about 870,000 included
about 120,000 Muslims, Cohen rejected excluding Muslims from
dialogue but did call for tough action against idle youth.
¶8. (U) Predictably, some politicians on the right
immediately called for decisive action against radical
Islamic groups. Others on the left warned against taking
drastic action prematurely, pointing out that there were no
simple solutions to a difficult social issue. Politicians
were united in expressing warnings that population groups
should not be set against each other, and encouraged Muslim
and minority groups to join the common battle against
radicalization and violence.
COMMENT:
-------
¶9. (SBU) The murder of van Gogh brutally highlighted
divisions within Dutch society. Like the assassinated
populist politician Pim Fortuyn, Van Gogh also spoke out
against those in the Muslim community who, in his view,
abused traditional Dutch tolerance to pursue intolerant
policies. The murder of Van Gogh forced Dutch society to
confront the reality that their tradition of tolerance does
not make them immune from Islamic extremist violence.
¶10. (SBU) Objectively, the Dutch record on integration is
mixed. The Muslim population of the Netherlands grew from a
few thousand in the 1960s to about one million (out of a
total population of 16 million) at present. Dutch separate
but equal policies have left them isolated largely in big
city ghettoes. Hundreds of thousands speak little or no
Dutch. For a long time, native Dutch chose not to deal with
this fact, arguing that the tolerant policy was to let
migrants live in their own culture. After Fortuyn
challenged this, the Dutch government took on a wide range
of measures to advance their integration. However, large
groups of unassimilated immigrants (especially Moroccan
youth) still function within insular social pockets separate
from mainstream Holland. They are a prime source of
recruitment for religious extremist groups, youth gangs and
other criminal organizations.
¶11. (SBU) While Pim Fortuyn's own party is on the verge of
collapse, other politicians on the right are likely to
benefit politically from the frustration and anger generated
by the Van Gogh murder. Key among them is the outspoken
independent MP Geert Wilders, who recently left the
conservative VVD party that includes Hirsi Ali to found his
own Liberal Conservative Party on the far right of the
Dutch political spectrum. Fortuyn's spiritual heirs
(including Wilders and Hirsi Ali) argue that the failure to
integrate new immigrants into Dutch society is a major
factor contributing to increases in crime and violence. The
internal debate sparked by this assassination could dominate
the Dutch domestic political calendar, spilling over into
other issues such as Turkish accession to the EU, Dutch
involvement in Iraq, and domestic social and economic
reforms.
Sobel