Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BRUSSELS2927
2007-09-18 17:37:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:
BELGIANS PAY A PRICE TO SECURE RELEASE OF HOSTAGE
how-toVZCZCXRO0819 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK DE RUEHBS #2927 2611737 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 181737Z SEP 07 FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6404 INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 002927
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NOFORN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2017
TAGS: PREL BE IR
SUBJECT: BELGIANS PAY A PRICE TO SECURE RELEASE OF HOSTAGE
HELD IN IRAN
REF: BRUSSELS 2892
Classified By: Ambassador Sam Fox, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 002927
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NOFORN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2017
TAGS: PREL BE IR
SUBJECT: BELGIANS PAY A PRICE TO SECURE RELEASE OF HOSTAGE
HELD IN IRAN
REF: BRUSSELS 2892
Classified By: Ambassador Sam Fox, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Belgian FM De Gucht's recent success in gaining the
release of two Belgians kidnapped last month in Iran came at
a price. In response to a direct question from the
Ambassador to De Gucht during a meeting on September 18,
2007, De Gucht described a complicated three way deal of
which the hostage release was only a part. He said one part
of the deal was for the Belgians to release a convicted
criminal being held in a Belgian prison in exchange for the
two Belgians. The convict was reportedly related to the head
of the gang responsible for kidnapping the Belgians. The
second part of the deal involved the kidnappers. They
inexplicably agreed to pay 200,000 euros to "the Iranian
authorities," De Gucht. "What they (i.e., the Iranians) did
with it," De Gucht said, "I cannot say." Last, the Belgians
pledged to provide 500,000 euros to the UN Office of Drug
Control Programs for construction of a prison to hold drug
offenders in Iran. The Belgians are involved with a similar
project in Afghanistan. The Minister asked that the USG do
nothing to publicize this information.
2. (C) The Minister's session in Tehran with Iranian FM
Mottaki followed a rigid format. According to De Gucht, the
Belgian side brushed aside every Iranian attempt to draw him
into a discussion of the nuclear issue by reiterating the
need for Iran to live up to its international commitments.
De Gucht said he had agreed to go to Iran only when it became
clear that the last remaining hostage would gain his release.
The Belgians thought the Iranians seemed eager for the visit
to take place since senior level western leaders only rarely
came to their country. "They wanted to demonstrate to their
people that they were not pariahs."
3. (C) Comment: We will delve deeper into this issue in the
coming days, both with an eye to possible domestic Belgian
reaction to the prisoner's release (which has yet to hit the
newswires here),and to determining if there were any other
side arrangements. End Comment. Fox
.
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NOFORN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2017
TAGS: PREL BE IR
SUBJECT: BELGIANS PAY A PRICE TO SECURE RELEASE OF HOSTAGE
HELD IN IRAN
REF: BRUSSELS 2892
Classified By: Ambassador Sam Fox, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Belgian FM De Gucht's recent success in gaining the
release of two Belgians kidnapped last month in Iran came at
a price. In response to a direct question from the
Ambassador to De Gucht during a meeting on September 18,
2007, De Gucht described a complicated three way deal of
which the hostage release was only a part. He said one part
of the deal was for the Belgians to release a convicted
criminal being held in a Belgian prison in exchange for the
two Belgians. The convict was reportedly related to the head
of the gang responsible for kidnapping the Belgians. The
second part of the deal involved the kidnappers. They
inexplicably agreed to pay 200,000 euros to "the Iranian
authorities," De Gucht. "What they (i.e., the Iranians) did
with it," De Gucht said, "I cannot say." Last, the Belgians
pledged to provide 500,000 euros to the UN Office of Drug
Control Programs for construction of a prison to hold drug
offenders in Iran. The Belgians are involved with a similar
project in Afghanistan. The Minister asked that the USG do
nothing to publicize this information.
2. (C) The Minister's session in Tehran with Iranian FM
Mottaki followed a rigid format. According to De Gucht, the
Belgian side brushed aside every Iranian attempt to draw him
into a discussion of the nuclear issue by reiterating the
need for Iran to live up to its international commitments.
De Gucht said he had agreed to go to Iran only when it became
clear that the last remaining hostage would gain his release.
The Belgians thought the Iranians seemed eager for the visit
to take place since senior level western leaders only rarely
came to their country. "They wanted to demonstrate to their
people that they were not pariahs."
3. (C) Comment: We will delve deeper into this issue in the
coming days, both with an eye to possible domestic Belgian
reaction to the prisoner's release (which has yet to hit the
newswires here),and to determining if there were any other
side arrangements. End Comment. Fox
.