BELGIUM RELUCTANT TO TAKE CTC OR 1267 CHAIRS

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 002182 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/22/2011 TAGS: ETTC KTFN EFIN UNSC PREL PGOV BE SUBJECT: BELGIUM RELUCTANT TO TAKE CTC OR 1267 CHAIRS REF: USUN 1235 Classified By: Deputy Permanent Representative Alex Wolff, for Reasons 1.4 (B and D) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Belgian PermRep Verbeke told Amb Wolff on November 21 that Belgium is reluctant to assume the Chairmanship of the UNSC's Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC) because of resource constraints. He also said Belgium is disinclined to accept the 1267 (al-Qaida/Taliban) Sanctions Committee chair because of domestic political sensitivities surrounding the ongoing delisting case of Mr. Nabil Sayadi and Ms. Patricia Vinck (reftel). Amb Wolff expressed confidence in Belgium's ability, and specifically the professionalism and skill of the Belgian UN Mission, to undertake any chairmanship. Regarding the Sayadi/Vinck delisting case, Amb Wolff suggested Belgium send a delegation to meet with the State Department and Treasury/OFAC to review thoroughly the case. END SUMMARY. CHAIRMANSHIPS -------------- ¶2. (C) During a November 21 meeting, Belgian PermRep Verbeke underscored to Amb Wolff that Belgium prefers not to assume the chairmanships of either the CTC or the 1267 Committee. Verbeke expressed enthusiasm for Belgium's upcoming membership on the UN Security Council (UNSC) and underlined his country's readiness to assume the important responsibilities that come with a UNSC seat. That said, he told Amb Wolff that Belgium is concerned about being asked to take the CTC chairmanship because of the heavy resource implications on such a "small mission." Amb Wolff responded that he had full confidence in Belgium, and specifically in PermRep Verbeke, to take on any task and execute it well. He said that although the Danish UN Mission is small, Danish PermRep Ellen Loj was an excellent and capable chair of CTC. ¶3. (C) Verbeke also expressed concern over assuming the 1267 Committee chairmanship, although not for resource reasons. Verbeke raised the issue of Belgium's request to delist Nabil Sayadi and Patricia Vinck from the 1267 Committee's sanctions list (reftel). The case is widely known in Belgium, he explained, and highly political in nature. Parliamentarians have pressed the Belgian government to explain why thus far it has failed to secure the delisting of the two individuals, and the media has focused its spotlight on the case, shaping public opinion to support Sayadi and Vinck. Verbeke told Amb Wolff that if Belgium were to assume the 1267 Committee chairmanship and the delisting cases remained pending, the Belgian government would look even more ineffectual to their public. SAYADI/VINCK -------------- ¶4. (C) Specifically regarding the Sayadi/Vinck delisting requests, Amb Wolff told Verbeke that the USG is attempting to declassify additional information on the case in order to share with the Belgian authorities. He recommended that once additional information is made available, Belgium send a delegation to Washington to meet with the State Department and Treasury/OFAC to discuss thoroughly the case. BOLTON