BELGIUM: REACTION TO PROPOSED RUSSIAN DRAFT OF AN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 001778

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/31/2017
TAGS: OSCE PGOV PREL BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM: REACTION TO PROPOSED RUSSIAN DRAFT OF AN
OSCE CHARTER

REF: STATE 69698

Classified By: POLCOUNS TED ANDREWS. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (C) Poloff spoke with Thierry Vuylsteke, Director of the
MFA's OSCE office. Vuylsteke said Belgium did not see the
need for an OSCE charter, since the OSCE works well with its
existing institutions and within its current framework. He
said the idea was raised but did not come to fruition at the
December 2006 OSCE Ministerial.


2. (C) Vuylsteke, however, felt OSCE members needed to be
"realistic" about Russia and its continued efforts at OSCE
reform. He said at the end of Belgium's 2006 OSCE
chairmanship, Belgium put the brakes on the concept of OSCE
reform. Russia, however, "never gives up" and therefore
needs to be "kept on board." Its ongoing push to reform the
OSCE put constant pressure on the organization's flagship
programs, such as election monitoring, and its influence in
the Caucasus and Central Asia was still significant. Keeping
Russia "on board" might mean at least evaluating its
proposals, including for an OSCE charter. Vuylsteke said
Belgium was listening but not promoting the idea.


3. (C) Comment: Vuylsteke is echoing Belgian sentiment
expressed throughout its 2006 OSCE chairmanship on the need
to hear from all strains of opinion within the OSCE.
However, Belgium's discomfort with Russian intentions and
actions, developed during Belgium's OSCE tenure, has only
deepened in the past few months. The Belgians are always
searching for ways to "deal with Russia." Vuylsteke's
"listen but do not support" message reflects Belgium's
current approach of seeking engagement with Moscow without
backtracking on positions.

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