Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BRUSSELS1254
2007-04-13 16:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:  

BELGIANS PONDER LEVEL OF PARTICIPATION AT IRAQ

Tags:  EAID EFIN PGOV PREL BE IZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO4470
OO RUEHAG RUEHROV
DE RUEHBS #1254 1031640
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 131640Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5098
INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 1069
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 0082
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0031
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 0248
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0195
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 001254 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/13/2017
TAGS: EAID EFIN PGOV PREL BE IZ
SUBJECT: BELGIANS PONDER LEVEL OF PARTICIPATION AT IRAQ
COMPACT SIGNING

REF: STATE 46243

Classified By: ECONCOUNS TERRI L. ROBL, REASONS 1.4 B/D

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 001254

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/13/2017
TAGS: EAID EFIN PGOV PREL BE IZ
SUBJECT: BELGIANS PONDER LEVEL OF PARTICIPATION AT IRAQ
COMPACT SIGNING

REF: STATE 46243

Classified By: ECONCOUNS TERRI L. ROBL, REASONS 1.4 B/D


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Government of Belgium will be
represented at the signing of the International Compact with
Iraq (ICI) on May 3 in Sharm el-Sheikh, at a minimum by its
ambassador to Egypt. (Note: The Belgian political scene,
including the agendas of ministers, is currently dominated by
preparations for the June 10 federal elections. End note).
Belgium continues to express concerns about the security
situation in Iraq and the slow pace of national
reconciliation efforts. It is unlikely that the GOB will
introduce new pledges of support at the May 3 meeting beyond
its member state contributions to the European Union.
However, Belgium does plan to announce a pledge of 500,000
euros ($675,900) toward humanitarian relief for displaced
Iraqis at the April 17-18 United Nation High Commission for
Refugees (UNHCR) conference in Geneva. Belgian ministers are
also considering a contribution of 250,000 euros ($337,800)
to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) for
protection of UN personnel serving there. END SUMMARY

SECURITY CONCERNS REMAIN
--------------

2. (SBU) Econoff presented reftel demarche to Yves Rogister,
desk officer for Iraq at the Belgian MFA, April 13. Rogister
confirmed that Belgium will send a representative, at least
its ambassador to Egypt, to the ICI signing on May 3, but
explained that because of busy pre-election schedules it may
not be possible for Belgium to send a ministerial- level
representative. A ministerial-level delegation would be led
by either the Foreign Minister or the Minister of Cooperation
and Development.


3. (C) According to Rogister, Belgium shares the view of
larger EU members, such as France and Germany, that
reconstruction efforts in Iraq need to be closely developed
along with improvements in security and progress in the
political process, including national reconciliation and good
governance. Rogister stated that it would be difficult for
Belgium to consider further pledges toward reconstruction
efforts absent improvements in security and a stabilization
of the political situation. Rogister expressed hope that the
ICI would oblige Arab Gulf States, particularly Saudi Arabia,
to become more involved in helping to improve the situation
in Iraq by honoring promises made in October 2003 at the
Madrid conference.

500,000 EUROS: SUPPORT FOR UNHCR IN HELPING IRAQI REFUGEES
-------------- --------------

4. (SBU) Rogister stated that Belgium will announce a pledge
of 500,000 euros at the April 17-18 Geneva UNHCR conference
on Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons. By way
of background, Rogister explained that Belgium had previously
donated to the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for
Iraq (IRFFI),with whose work the GOB is pleased. However,
because IRFFI focuses just on Iraq, Belgium has decided to
shift its support to UNHCR, which is tackling the problem at
the regional level.

NO C-130, BUT A POSSIBLE CONTRIBUTION TO UNAMI
-------------- -

5. (C) Rogister further stated that Belgium's Council of
Ministers may consider before the end of April a pledge of
250,000 euros in support of UNAMI for the protection of UN
personnel. Rogister emphasized that while the contribution
would not be a military one, some Belgian ministers could
view it as such, which could complicate the debate. There is
strong opposition from the Belgian public and from some
cabinet members to Belgium's playing any kind of military
role in Iraq. Rogister underscored Belgium's support for the
UN in Iraq, calling the UN's presence "essential." Rogister
expressed hope that the 250,000 euro potential contribution
could be seen as compensation for the unfulfilled promise of
the C-130 aircraft that is no longer available because
Belgian Defense Minister Andre Flahaut has blocked its usage.


IMBRIE
.