BELGIAN RESPONSE TO U.S. NON-PAPER ON CFE AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 002649 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/21/2017 TAGS: NATO KCFE PARM PREL BE SUBJECT: BELGIAN RESPONSE TO U.S. NON-PAPER ON CFE AND COMMENT ON NATIONAL PROCEDURES FOR ADAPTED CFE RATIFICATION REF: STATE 116194 Classified By: POLCOUNS TED ANDREWS. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) Poloff relayed nonpaper and talking points August 20 to Bruno Angelet, in the MFA's Office of Foreign and Security Policy. Angelet thought the U.S. proposal, with the proposed timeline of parallel actions, "looked good." He said Brussels had been concerned about the current stalemate with Russia. If the proposal was acceptable to Moscow, Angelet thought Belgium would want to determine how it could help facilitate the timeline. ¶2. (C) Angelet said Belgium had not yet begun its own national ratification process. He said the MFA's Legal Office must first determine whether ratification is a purely federal competency or whether it would involve a "mixed treaty," requiring ratification by the regions, as well. The MFA would have to consult with Belgium's Ministry of Defense, then submit a joint "explanatory note" to the MFA's Legal Office, asking for such a determination. This step had not been taken yet, one reason being the Foreign Minister has not been able to focus on the issue. (Note: Belgium is in the midst of government formation talks following June 10 federal elections. "New" initiatives will not progress until a new government is in place, probably in the Fall.) Angelet thought the political will exists to move on national ratification procedures, but did not expect progress for a few weeks. IMBRIE