Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06USUNNEWYORK2182
2006-11-22 21:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
USUN New York
Cable title:  

BELGIUM RELUCTANT TO TAKE CTC OR 1267 CHAIRS

Tags:  ETTC KTFN EFIN UNSC PREL PGOV BE 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUCNDT #2182 3262124
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 222124Z NOV 06
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0807
INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS IMMEDIATE 1271
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC IMMEDIATE
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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)

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