BELGIUM IS ON TRACK TO FULLY IMPLEMENT UNSCR 1737

UNCLAS BRUSSELS 001222

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR ISN AND EB

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN ETTC KNNP KTFN BE IR
SUBJECT: BELGIUM IS ON TRACK TO FULLY IMPLEMENT UNSCR 1737
AND 1747

REF: A. STATE 40440


B. BRUSSELS 1037

C. STATE 38553

D. BRUSSELS 176

E. 06 STATE 202585


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: In conformity with its role as chair of
the UNSC Iran sanctions committee, Belgium has pledged full
compliance with the United Nations Security Council
Resolutions (UNSCR) 1737 (ref D) and 1747. Belgian financial
institutions appear to be fully implementing relevant freeze
obligations. END SUMMARY


2. (SBU) On March 27 Econoff conveyed USG concerns regarding
full compliance with UNSCR resolutions on Iran (para 5 of ref
C) to the following GOB officials: Beatrice Detiste,
Financial Specialist, Treasury; Olivier Henin, Advisor,
Ministry of Finance; and Lia Umans, Analyst at CTIF-CFI,
Belgium's Financial Intelligence Unit.


3. (SBU) On April 2, Econcouns contacted Henin who detailed
the steps taken by Belgian financial institutions listed in
para 4 of ref A to follow asset freeze obligations outlined
in UNSCR 1747. By way of additional background on Belgian
commitment to Security Council resolution implementation (ref
E),Henin explained that Belgium, like other EU countries,
implements UN sanction resolutions through a binding but not
directly applicable Common Position and a binding and
directly applicable regulation. Henin further clarified that
a Common Position for the EU (and therefore Belgium) to
implement UNSCR 1737 had been already drafted and would be
amended in the coming days to include all provisions of UNSCR
1747 (see ref B for background on EU follow through).


4. (SBU) Henin assured Econcouns that Belgium is "keeping up
the pressure" regarding obligations placed upon financial
institutions. Speaking from previous experience with the two
Belgian financial institutions listed in ref A, Henin stated
that he was confident both banks would fully implement
relevant freezing obligations without delay.

BELGIUM'S REPORT TO UN ON IMPLEMENTATION OF UNSCR 1737
-------------- --------------

5. (SBU) Meanwhile post reviewed Belgium's report to the
1737 Security Council Committee. Para 19 of UNSCR 1737
mandates that all States must report to the Committee within
60 days of the resolution's adoption in order to describe the
progress of implementations outlined in paras 3-8, 10, 12,
and 17 of the resolution. Belgium's response, in a February
16 note verbale to the Committee, states that Belgium is in
conformity with all of the mandates in each relevant
paragraph based upon already existing domestic legislation.
However, Belgian implementation of the "vigilance" provision
of paragraph 17 was to be reported separately, according to
the note verbale.


6. (SBU) Post will update on Belgium's status of
implementing provisions outlined in para 17 of UNSCR 1737
separately as appropriate.

IMBRIE
.