Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BRUSSELS2649
2007-08-21 13:59:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:
BELGIAN RESPONSE TO U.S. NON-PAPER ON CFE AND
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHBS #2649 2331359 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 211359Z AUG 07 FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6215
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).
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
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