BELGIAN FM DE GUCHT SEEKING BRIEF SESSION WITH THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 002928 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2012 TAGS: PREL CG BE SUBJECT: BELGIAN FM DE GUCHT SEEKING BRIEF SESSION WITH THE SECRETARY TO DISCUSS SITUATION IN CONGO SIPDIS Classified By: Ambassador Sam Fox, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (U) Action Request -- See paragraph five. ¶2. (C) During a September 18, 2007 meeting on the situation in the Congo and on relations with Iran (septel),Belgian FM De Gucht told the Ambassador that it was important for him to talk to the Secretary for approximately 15 to 20 minutes about the Congo while they were both in New York. De Gucht indicated that he will be seeing Congolese President Kabila in Brussels on September 21. It would be highly useful, he argued, for him to relay the results of that meeting directly to the Secretary. De Gucht seemed certain President Kabila invited himself to come to Belgium to ask for something. ¶3. (C) The minister expressed disappointment over not being able to see the Secretary at the Congo meeting Belgium was hosting in New York on the afternoon of September 26. After De Gucht raised the issue, Ambassador noted that the Secretary had extremely tight time constraints during her SIPDIS stay in New York, hence her inability to attend the Congo discussion. The Minister took this point on board, but added that it remained important for him to raise Congo directly with the Secretary. ¶4. (C) Asked for more details about the Kabila visit, De Gucht said the key point to remember was that the Congolese leader had invited himself. The Belgians presumed that Kabila "wanted something" and that he now realized the low level to which his credibility had dropped over the past few years. "Even Louis Michel" was now unwilling to overlook Kabila's faults, De Gucht argued. The Minister noted that he would gauge how to react once he heard Kabila's anticipated request. Note: the Belgians have promised us a complete readout on Kabila's stay here as soon as possible after the visit ends. End note. ¶5. (C) Action Request -- It would be very helpful if Secretary Rice could meet with FM De Gucht. As this matter SIPDIS is considered, Embassy notes that De Gucht has agreed to attend the September 26 Transatlantic Dinner in New York. Fox