Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BRUSSELS1048
2007-03-28 11:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:  

ASKING BELGIUM TO TAKE GUANTANAMO DETAINEES

Tags:  PREL PTER PINR KAWC BE 
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VZCZCXYZ0003
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBS #1048 0871150
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 281150Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4918
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 001048 

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/28/2022
TAGS: PREL PTER PINR KAWC BE
SUBJECT: ASKING BELGIUM TO TAKE GUANTANAMO DETAINEES

REF: A. STATE 036512

B. STATE 036550

Classified By: W. IMBRIE, CDA, REASONS 1.4 B AND D

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 001048

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/28/2022
TAGS: PREL PTER PINR KAWC BE
SUBJECT: ASKING BELGIUM TO TAKE GUANTANAMO DETAINEES

REF: A. STATE 036512

B. STATE 036550

Classified By: W. IMBRIE, CDA, REASONS 1.4 B AND D


1. (C/NF) CDA IMBRIE DISCUSSED REF REQUEST FOR BELGIUM TO
ACCEPT NON-BELGIAN DETAINEES AND TO ENCOURAGE OTHER COUNTRIES
TO ACCEPT THEM WITH FM KAREL DE GUCHT ON 3/28/2007. HE
OFFERED A FULLER BRIEFING (TO BE DRAWN FROM REFTELS AND
DETAINEE INFORMATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT) AS DESIRED.


2. (C/NF) CDA NOTED THAT BELGIUM, LIKE THE US, WANTS TO CLOSE
GUANTANAMO AND TO THAT END, WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT
BELGIUM ACCEPT, IN ADDITIONAL TO THE BELGIAN DETAINEES, A
NUMBER OF NON-BELGIAN DETAINEES. THESE ARE INDIVIDUALS
DEEMED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO BE OF RELATIVELY
LOW OR MEDIUM THREAT TO THE UNITED STATES AND ITS ALLIES, WHO
WE WANT TO RELEASE, BUT CANNOT BE RELEASED TO THEIR HOME
COUNTRIES BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED, OR BECAUSE OF
HUMANITARIAN CONCERNS ABOUT THEIR TREATMENT. IN ADDITION,
CDA ASKED THAT BELGIUM APPROACH OTHER COUNTRIES TO ENCOURAGE
THEM TO ACCEPT DETAINEES.


3. (C/NF) THE FOLLOWING DAY, 3/28/2007, CDA WAS CONTACTED
BY THE FM,S DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF WALTER STEVENS. HE NOTED
THAT THE FM HAD DISCUSSED THE REQUEST WITHIN THE MINISTRY,
BUT SAID HE WOULD HAVE TO RAISE THE ISSUE WITH THE CABINET
COMMITTEE ON SECURITY AND INTELLIGENCE (CHAIRED BY THE PM,
INCLUDING THE FOREIGN MINISTER, MINISTER OF JUSTICE, MINISTER
OF THE INTERIOR, AND MINISTER OF DEFENSE.). STEVENS NOTED
THAT WE SHOULD NOT EXPECT A RESPONSE UNTIL AFTER THE BELGIAN
FEDERAL ELECTIONS ON JUNE 10.


4. (C/NF) COMMENT: BELGIUM REQUESTED AND OBTAINED RELEASE
OF TWO BELGIAN GUANTANAMO DETAINEES IN 2005. BELGIAN
LEGISLATION RESTRICTS SURVEILLANCE OF INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT
UNCLASSIFIED EVIDENCE AVAILABLE TO THE FEDERAL PROSECUTOR,

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WHICH WAS NOT PROVIDED FOR THESE TWO DETAINEES.
CONSIDERATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF NON-BELGIAN DETAINEES WILL
LIKELY BE CONDITIONED ON PROVISION BY THE US OF DETAILED
UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION.

SIPDIS


5. (C/NF) COMMENT (CONTINUED). THE BELGIAN POLITICAL
CAMPAIGN IS IN FULL SWING AND WE DO NOT EXPECT THE
INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY COMMITTEE TO ENGAGE WITH THIS
PROPOSAL BEFORE THE ELECTIONS, AND MOST LIKELY NOT UNTIL
AFTER A NEW GOVERNMENT IS FORMED. IMBRIE
.