Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BRUSSELS2675
2006-08-03 12:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:
TFLE01: BELGIANS CONSIDER INVOLVEMENT IN MIDDLE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHBS #2675 2151225 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 031225Z AUG 06 FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2743 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0144 RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 0258 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEPGBA/CDR USEUCOM INTEL VAIHINGEN GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 002675
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/02/2016
TAGS: PREL BE
SUBJECT: TFLE01: BELGIANS CONSIDER INVOLVEMENT IN MIDDLE
EAST
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Will Imbrie. Reasons 1.4 (b and d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 002675
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/02/2016
TAGS: PREL BE
SUBJECT: TFLE01: BELGIANS CONSIDER INVOLVEMENT IN MIDDLE
EAST
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Will Imbrie. Reasons 1.4 (b and d).
1. (U) Summary. Since the Qana raid, FM De Gucht called for
an immediate cease-fire and offered Belgian military
involvement in a stabilization force. On August 2, Charge
clarified Belgian thinking and reviewed US ideas on the
crisis. The Belgians think a UN PKO as the best option. On
operations, press reports Belgium continues to attempt to fly
humanitarian supplies into Beirut, but were turned away by
Israel. End Summary.
2. (U) In a July 31 interview by VRT, De Gucht said he was
horrified by the civilian casualties resulting form the
Israeli air raid. He continued, saying that excuses and
expressions of sorrow are not enough, a cease-fire must come
first and the political contours should be discussed later.
3. (U) In the August 1 GAERC meeting De Gucht reaffirmed
Belgium's willingness to commit troops to a stabilization
force, adding that the final decision would be made by
Belgium's Council of Ministers, according to press. He also
said that EU countries not willing to participate in a
peacekeeping force should not be involved in the political
discussions. De Gucht supported the EU resolution calling
for a cessation of the hostilities without the precondition
of release of the kidnapped Israeli soldiers. De Gucht
elaborated to the press, claiming a cessation in hostilities
required more immediate action whereas a cease-fire hinged on
global political agreements. He believes that a cessation of
hostilities would lead to a cease-fire and further
negotiations. Belgium condemns the humanitarian violations,
but in an even-handed fashion.
4. (C) Charge met August 2 with FM De Gucht's acting chief of
staff, Jean-Luc Bodson, who is also responsible for NEA.
Belgium was pleased with the agreement of all 25 in the GAERC
yesterday. The Belgians worked successfully to find a
formulation which would not be too far from that of the US,
and which they thought might allow a convergence of the
US/Israeli and the EU positions. They wanted an European role
(i.e. a multilateral EU role) in the conflict, thus
preferring the GAERC to the Rome mechanism which only
involved a select group. They want an agreed EU position
first so the Europeans can speak with one voice, and want the
EU members of the UNSC to have a common position in NY.
5. (C) Bodson noted that Belgium believes peacekeepers must
be under UNSC auspices because NATO members would be
identified with one side or another. They believe
UN-authorized peacekeeping force is the best option. Belgium
has not made a commitment on how to participate in a
stabilization force; participation will depend on structure,
mandate, etc.
6. (U) FM De Gucht addressed the Parliament Foreign Affairs
Committee and has gained endorsement for troop commitment
from the Socialist majority parties (which include Defense
Minister Flahaut) and the Christian Democratic opposition.
Parliament appears in agreement with the GAERC statement
calling for cessation of hostilities, cease-fire, and
introduction of a stabilization force in that order. A formal
resolution on Belgium's military support is pending.
7. (U) Two Belgian Air Force C-130s delivering food and
medical supplies were denied access to the Beirut airport on
August 1 by the Israeli government citing security reasons
for the denial. MoD Flahaut pledged to continue to work on
the authorization in the coming days.
8. (C) Late news. In response to NATO D/S46's request for
NATO member (not alliance) C-130 assistance to transport OCHA
supplies to Beirut, Belgian authorities have renewed contacts
with Israeli authorities for approval to deliver supplies to
BIA. One of the two humanitarian C-130 flights has already
been approved. The flight, with MoD Flahaut on board, has
landed and is offloading medical supplies from Societe
Medicale Euro-Lebanese. The Belgians expect the second flight
will be approved in a few days.
IMBRIE
.
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/02/2016
TAGS: PREL BE
SUBJECT: TFLE01: BELGIANS CONSIDER INVOLVEMENT IN MIDDLE
EAST
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Will Imbrie. Reasons 1.4 (b and d).
1. (U) Summary. Since the Qana raid, FM De Gucht called for
an immediate cease-fire and offered Belgian military
involvement in a stabilization force. On August 2, Charge
clarified Belgian thinking and reviewed US ideas on the
crisis. The Belgians think a UN PKO as the best option. On
operations, press reports Belgium continues to attempt to fly
humanitarian supplies into Beirut, but were turned away by
Israel. End Summary.
2. (U) In a July 31 interview by VRT, De Gucht said he was
horrified by the civilian casualties resulting form the
Israeli air raid. He continued, saying that excuses and
expressions of sorrow are not enough, a cease-fire must come
first and the political contours should be discussed later.
3. (U) In the August 1 GAERC meeting De Gucht reaffirmed
Belgium's willingness to commit troops to a stabilization
force, adding that the final decision would be made by
Belgium's Council of Ministers, according to press. He also
said that EU countries not willing to participate in a
peacekeeping force should not be involved in the political
discussions. De Gucht supported the EU resolution calling
for a cessation of the hostilities without the precondition
of release of the kidnapped Israeli soldiers. De Gucht
elaborated to the press, claiming a cessation in hostilities
required more immediate action whereas a cease-fire hinged on
global political agreements. He believes that a cessation of
hostilities would lead to a cease-fire and further
negotiations. Belgium condemns the humanitarian violations,
but in an even-handed fashion.
4. (C) Charge met August 2 with FM De Gucht's acting chief of
staff, Jean-Luc Bodson, who is also responsible for NEA.
Belgium was pleased with the agreement of all 25 in the GAERC
yesterday. The Belgians worked successfully to find a
formulation which would not be too far from that of the US,
and which they thought might allow a convergence of the
US/Israeli and the EU positions. They wanted an European role
(i.e. a multilateral EU role) in the conflict, thus
preferring the GAERC to the Rome mechanism which only
involved a select group. They want an agreed EU position
first so the Europeans can speak with one voice, and want the
EU members of the UNSC to have a common position in NY.
5. (C) Bodson noted that Belgium believes peacekeepers must
be under UNSC auspices because NATO members would be
identified with one side or another. They believe
UN-authorized peacekeeping force is the best option. Belgium
has not made a commitment on how to participate in a
stabilization force; participation will depend on structure,
mandate, etc.
6. (U) FM De Gucht addressed the Parliament Foreign Affairs
Committee and has gained endorsement for troop commitment
from the Socialist majority parties (which include Defense
Minister Flahaut) and the Christian Democratic opposition.
Parliament appears in agreement with the GAERC statement
calling for cessation of hostilities, cease-fire, and
introduction of a stabilization force in that order. A formal
resolution on Belgium's military support is pending.
7. (U) Two Belgian Air Force C-130s delivering food and
medical supplies were denied access to the Beirut airport on
August 1 by the Israeli government citing security reasons
for the denial. MoD Flahaut pledged to continue to work on
the authorization in the coming days.
8. (C) Late news. In response to NATO D/S46's request for
NATO member (not alliance) C-130 assistance to transport OCHA
supplies to Beirut, Belgian authorities have renewed contacts
with Israeli authorities for approval to deliver supplies to
BIA. One of the two humanitarian C-130 flights has already
been approved. The flight, with MoD Flahaut on board, has
landed and is offloading medical supplies from Societe
Medicale Euro-Lebanese. The Belgians expect the second flight
will be approved in a few days.
IMBRIE
.