Belgians to Name Non-Resident Charge for

UNCLAS BRUSSELS 003273 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL BE IZ JO SUBJECT: Belgians to Name Non-Resident Charge for Baghdad ¶1. The Belgian government will shortly appoint a non- resident Charge for Baghdad, according to Ambassador Robert Devriese, the MFA's Acting Director-General for Bilateral Relations. Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht took the decision on September 27, Devriese told polcouns and visiting EUR/UBI Office Director Gallagher, adding that the appointment will soon come into effect. Belgium's DCM in Amman, Jeroen Vergeylen, will take up the post. Vergeylen currently deals with Iraqi matters from his base in Amman. ¶2. There are no immediate plans for Vergeylen to travel to Iraq, according to Christian Monnoyer, the MFA's Director for Middle Eastern Affairs. Monnoyer noted that security concerns are likely to keep the idea of opening a mission in the Iraqi capital "off the table" for a considerable period. In expressing pleasure at this news, polcouns indicated the U.S. would continue to press for accreditation of an Ambassador and the opening of a mission in Iraq. KOROLOGOS