United States | Phone Call to The Netherlands

[Odinson]

Private
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President Gore was huddled with his closest advisors and members of the National Security Council at the main cabin at Camp David in Virginia. He had originally gone there with his family as a retreat, but there was always something in the world that would take away his attention. As the situation in The Netherlands continued to develop, it became more and more clear that a humanitarian crisis primarily involving American citizens in a foreign country was unfolding. After ordering ten Navy warships off the coast of France to relocate to the coast of The Netherlands for a possible mass-airlift of Americans, the President asked for a phone call with the Dutch Prime Minister to be arranged.

A secure call was made to The Hague; the President's chief of staff informed the Dutch representative on the other line that President Gore needed to speak to the Dutch Prime Minister, if he was available.

Dutchy

 

[Dutchy]

The Council Defence, Internatinal, National & Economic Security, a sub-council of the Council of Ministers would be meeting as they tried to gain a grip on the situation at the Southern border. An aide would enter the room to inform the Prime Minister that the US President was on the line he would leave the conference room to find some privacy before taking the call.

"Jaap de Hoop Scheffer speaking."

Odinson

 

[Odinson]

"Prime Minister, good morning. Thank you for taking my call. This situation on your border with Belgium is... developing quickly. I've spoken with Ambassador Kennedy a couple of times now, he told me that he's going down there in person. I wanted to let you know that I have ordered two Navy task forces off the coast of France to your coast, in international waters. The two amphibious assault ships can each take on about 1,700 people. I don't think that the first one will be in position until some time in the evening, your time. But before we begin sending aircraft from the fleet to pick up refugees, we of course need your permission. Would your government have any issue with this?" he asked.

"Is there anything more you can tell me about the situation? Most of our information is coming from the U.S. Embassy and CNN," he said honestly, which made a representative from the CIA cringe.

Dutchy

 

[Dutchy]

"Mr President, at this time our reports indicate that around 10,000 refugees are on our Southern border. At the moment those with passports are being proccessed with emergency visas so that they can enter the country and make their own way North to the Randstad where they can find accomodation and prepare for the journey back to the United States."

"Those unable to take such an approach are currently congregating near the town of Aanwas and we are preparing the deploy the Army's logistics companies to provide transport to other locations. However, your offer of evacuations by air could allow us to re-direct those transports to Woensdrecht Air Base where American helicopters could land and pick up American citizens. If this is in line with your operational plans I can inform the Military command and have them make arrangements for your arrival. Please have your naval and air assets keep in contact with the relevant authorities to maintain safe maritime and air traffic."

Odinson

 

[Odinson]

"As I said, our ships can take some 3,700-4,000 people. That's not everyone, but it should take a significant dent out of the whole number you're dealing with. Under my authority, and with your permission, we can begin sending helicopters to Woensdrecht Air Base within the next half hour," he said as those in the room took down notes of what the President was saying.

Dutchy

 

[Dutchy]

"We would certainly appraciate any immediate evacuations in order to alleviate the pressure on the border. I hereby authorise for an American deployment to Woensdrecht Air Base, I would also advise the deployment of an advanced medical team which I hope can set up an aid station at the air base to treat those with issues as a result of the cold before their embarkation."

"Please have your task force await word from the Dutch military prior to deployment."

Odinson

 

[Odinson]

"Thank you Prime Minister, I will make sure that my office keeps in touch with yours. The Navy should be contacting the Dutch Navy soon to coordinate our response. In the meantime, if there are any pressing developments, do not hesitate to call me," he said. President Gore thought for a few moments and then said, "Prime Minister, once we have a better hold on the situation, I'd like to come to Aanwas in person and maybe bring some comfort to those that are stuck there, without papers. Would you be alright with that?" he asked.

Dutchy

 

[Dutchy]

"Mr President, while I have no objections to a visit, I would imagine it is not something easily organised on short notice. From what I know, anybody holding your office usually travels with a significant entourage that is difficult to hide from the papers. Especially in a small country such as the Netherlands. As you already mentioned, the NOS, CNN and countless other news networks are already on the ground. I would not be able to guarantee your visit will go unnoticed."

Odinson

 

[Odinson]

"The last thing I would want to do is complicate things for the emergency workers and volunteers on the ground... I will look into the logistics of coming for a visit, I think we can arrange something that won't interfere with the relief efforts that much, but will also bring some much-needed morale for anyone that cannot come straight home. I am going to make sure that we bring officials from the Social Security Administration and FEMA with us, if I am able to make the trip. While we can't stop the media from finding out I am there, we can at least keep it from them until I arrive. Of course, we wouldn't attempt any of this without your government's approval. I think that, given the circumstances, I would be allowed to travel with less security considering the only people I would be interacting with would be aid workers, diplomatic staff, refugees, and your people. Is this something that your government would be willing to consider?" he asked.

Dutchy

 

[Dutchy]

"I would not dare keep an American president from the American people. If your office were to reach out to the Ministry of Justice & Security with your travel arrangements, then I shall direct the relevant ministries to prepare to secure the ground as much as possible in order to take the necessary safeguards for your visit."

"I will of course accompany you from Rotterdam The Hague Airport to Aanwas and we can take stock of the situation together."

Odinson

 

[Odinson]

"Thank you for your willingness to make these arrangements, Prime Minister. My office will reach out to your office, and to the Ministry of Justice and Security. I would be happy to have you join me," he said. If there was nothing else to discuss, President Gore would bid the Prime Minister farewell and inform his staff of the decisions that he had made.

Dutchy

 

[Odinson]

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THE WHITE HOUSE​

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TOP SECRET​

[TR][TD]

TO: Office of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of The Netherlands, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer ( Dutchy )
Office of the Minister of Justice and Security, Piet Hein Donner​

FROM: Duncan Nicholas, Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff

Minister Donner,

Prime Minister Hoop Scheffer asked President Gore to have me contact your office if the President decided to travel to The Netherlands. I am writing to inform you that the President has decided that he will travel to The Netherlands tomorrow morning, your time, to visit with stranded Americans. He currently plans to visit Aanwas and possibly Woensdrecht Air Base, if you find this acceptable. The President's normal entourage is admittedly substantial. The Secret Service agreed to a lightening of this load, provided that the President's trip to The Netherlands be kept secret as long as possible, preferably until he is on the ground.

While this plan is subject to change, depending on your government's preferences, this is what we have planned so far:
1) American security will arrive at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Gilze-Rijen Air Force Base for the protection of American aircraft and the President; a Boeing E-4 will land at Gilze-Rijen Air Force Base and remain there for the duration of the President's trip.
2) Air Force 1 will land at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, possibly preceded by some support and logistics aircraft.
3) President Gore will take Marine One to Rotterdam The Hague Airport to meet with the Prime Minister.
4)The President and the Prime Minister will meet up and take Marine One from the airport to Aanwas.
5) The President will remain longer at Aanwas, or go to Woensdrecht Air Base to meet with others.
6) Civilian personnel from the United States will continue to arrive in The Netherlands to bring further relief; the President may meet some of them at the airport before returning home.

Throughout the President's time in The Netherlands, he will be escorted by armed members of the United States Secret Service. Upon Air Force One landing in The Netherlands, the U.S. Embassy in The Hague will produce a full list of all Americans entering the country as well as a comprehensive list of all serial numbers for the weapons being brought into the country - these weapons will be exclusively handled by the Secret Service, or security at the airports that will be guarding Air Force assets. Are any of these plans unacceptable to your government?

I have been asked to pass along the thanks of the White House and the Federal Government for allowing the President to travel to your country on such short notice. I look forward to further cooperation.

Best regards,

Duncan Nicholas
Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff
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[Dutchy]

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Ministry of General Affairs
Kingdom of the Netherlands​

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Recipient: Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, Executive Office of the President, United States of America (Odinson)
Cc: -
Subject: Presidential Working Visit
Attachment:
Classification: CONFIDENTIAL

Dear Mr Nicholas,

We request that Air Force One arrive at Eindhoven Air Base, this is the home of our Air Mobility Command and represents a more secure location for American assets while in the country. Gilze-Rijen Air Force Base can then be utilised as a forward operating base. In regards to the flight path, the President will meet the Prime Minister at Woensdrecht Airport, from there both the President and the Prime Minister will be escorted to the border.

The rest of the plan's you have presented are acceptable.

Yours Sincerely,

Ben Maas
Secretary General
Ministry of General Affairs

 

[Odinson]

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[TR][TD]

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NATIONAL MILITARY COMMAND CENTER​

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ENCRYPTED MESSAGE​

[TR][TD]

START MESSAGE

URGENCY: PRIORITY

CCEB PRECEDENCE: FLASH - IMMEDIATE - PRIORITY

TO: CHIEF OF DEFENSE OF THE NETHERLANDS ARMED FORCES ( Dutchy )
HENK KAMP, MINISTER OF DEFENSE OF THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS

FROM: NATIONAL MILITARY COMMAND CENTER (NMCC), ON BEHALF OF THE NATIONAL COMMAND AUTHORITY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

THE PRESIDENT HAS MOBILIZED U.S. ARMY SPECIAL FORCES IN EUROPE. THESE INCLUDE 97 OPERATORS AND FOUR AIRCRAFT: X2 MC-130H COMBAT TALON II AND X2 C-5B. THEIR EXACT LOCATION AND ROUTE ARE NOT DISCLOSED, BUT THEIR CURRENT ROUTE WILL COME TO THE NETHERLANDS FROM THE SOUTHERN NORTH SEA. THEIR INTENDED DESTINATION IS GILZE-RIJEN AIR FORCE BASE. THESE AIRCRAFT WILL IDENTIFY THEMSELVES TO DUTCH AIR FORCE PERSONNEL AND WILL BE WITHIN RANGE OF DUTCH AIRSPACE SOMETIME WITHIN THE NEXT HOUR.

CONFIRM RECEIPT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

END MESSAGE​

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[Odinson]

Private​

The White House would securely confirm to the Dutch government that Gilze-Rijen Air Force Base would be used as a forward operating base while Air Force One would land at Woensdrecht Airport where President Gore would meet the Prime Minister. From there, they would take Marine One to fly over the affected area and land there to meet with American and Dutch officials, and to give the President the opportunity to meet with Americans on the ground. If this was acceptable to the Dutch, the Pentagon would begin planning a military operation to get the President to The Netherlands. The Dutch Government would be securely informed that the very first Americans to arrive would be special forces, followed by Secret Service, and finally Air Force One.

Dutchy

 

[Dutchy]

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Ministry of Defence
Kingdom of the Netherlands​

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Recipient: Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, Executive Office of the President, United States of America (Odinson)
Cc: National Military Command Center
Subject: Presidential Working Visit
Attachment:
Classification: CONFIDENTIAL

Dear all,

To the National Military Command Center, I hereby confirm the receipt of your priority message and you hereby receive the green light for the operation.

To the Chief of Staff, there seems to be a mix up in the planning, we request that Air Force One make immediate preparations to reroute to Eindhoven Air Base. Woensdrecht is not a valid destination, please confirm the re-route as soon as possible. DutchMil air control can assist in any last minute re-directions upon Air Force One entering Dutch airspace.

Yours Sincerely,

Henk Kamp
Minister of Defence

 

[Odinson]

Private​

The NMCC would take note of this mistake and have Air Force One make the appropriate corrections so that they would land at Eindhoven Air Base. The Dutch would be informed that the NMCC had acknowledged what they had sent. This would largely not change the route required to get there, and because of the excess fuel being carried it would not cause any kind of logistical issues. This operation would be further explained in Operation Soaring Phoenix II.

Dutchy