BELGIAN FM DE GUCHT SEEKING BRIEF SESSION WITH THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 002928

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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


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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

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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

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is considered, Embassy notes that De Gucht has agreed to
attend the September 26 Transatlantic Dinner in New York.

Fox