Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BRUSSELS2236
2007-07-10 14:35:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:
BELGIANS BELIEVE EU TROIKA BEST PLACED TO WORK
how-toVZCZCXRO8203 RR RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHBS #2236 1911435 ZNY SSSSS ZZH R 101435Z JUL 07 FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5869 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 0083 RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 0597 RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS 0253 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0913 RUEHKU/AMEMBASSY KUWAIT 0893 RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 0252
S E C R E T BRUSSELS 002236
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER
SUBJECT: BELGIANS BELIEVE EU TROIKA BEST PLACED TO WORK
JOINTLY WITH US ON FOREIGN FIGHTER ISSUE
REF: SECSTATE 92339
Classified By: Political Counselor Theodore H Andrews, Reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)
S E C R E T BRUSSELS 002236
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER
SUBJECT: BELGIANS BELIEVE EU TROIKA BEST PLACED TO WORK
JOINTLY WITH US ON FOREIGN FIGHTER ISSUE
REF: SECSTATE 92339
Classified By: Political Counselor Theodore H Andrews, Reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)
1. (S) The Belgian government is reluctant, but not
unalterably opposed to working jointly with the U.S. on
blocking the infiltration of foreign fighters into Iraq. FM
De Gucht Deputy Chief of Staff Bodson told polcouns in a
recent conversation that the MFA thinks it would be more
appropriate and effective for the EU troika countries to deal
with this matter. That said, Bodson said there may be
circumstances in which it might be better for individual
member states to work directly with Belgian embassies in
delivering joint demarches. Belgian chiefs of mission in the
region "are available," he said to consult directly with U.S.
counterparts on devising the best approach.
2. (C) In response to questions, Bodson explained that the
MFA's reluctance to go out on a limb on this issue was not
entirely the result of a desire to stay out of the limelight.
FM De Gucht was now a caretaker minister and thus could not
readily launch new initiatives, particularly on controversial
subjects like Iraq. Giving this issue wide publicity would
"guarantee" a requirement for De Gucht to raise it with the
broader cabinet, where it would probably face a hostile
reception. Fox
.
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER
SUBJECT: BELGIANS BELIEVE EU TROIKA BEST PLACED TO WORK
JOINTLY WITH US ON FOREIGN FIGHTER ISSUE
REF: SECSTATE 92339
Classified By: Political Counselor Theodore H Andrews, Reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)
1. (S) The Belgian government is reluctant, but not
unalterably opposed to working jointly with the U.S. on
blocking the infiltration of foreign fighters into Iraq. FM
De Gucht Deputy Chief of Staff Bodson told polcouns in a
recent conversation that the MFA thinks it would be more
appropriate and effective for the EU troika countries to deal
with this matter. That said, Bodson said there may be
circumstances in which it might be better for individual
member states to work directly with Belgian embassies in
delivering joint demarches. Belgian chiefs of mission in the
region "are available," he said to consult directly with U.S.
counterparts on devising the best approach.
2. (C) In response to questions, Bodson explained that the
MFA's reluctance to go out on a limb on this issue was not
entirely the result of a desire to stay out of the limelight.
FM De Gucht was now a caretaker minister and thus could not
readily launch new initiatives, particularly on controversial
subjects like Iraq. Giving this issue wide publicity would
"guarantee" a requirement for De Gucht to raise it with the
broader cabinet, where it would probably face a hostile
reception. Fox
.