Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BRUSSELS2983
2007-09-24 12:53:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:
BELGIAN VIEWS ON EU-AFRICA SUMMIT -- OPPOSED TO
VZCZCXRO2403 RR RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHBS #2983 2671253 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 241253Z SEP 07 FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6438 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 0503 RUEHSB/AMEMBASSY HARARE 0088
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 002983
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/24/2017
TAGS: PREL BE
SUBJECT: BELGIAN VIEWS ON EU-AFRICA SUMMIT -- OPPOSED TO
MUGABE, BUT NOT INVITING HIM TO SUMMIT A MISTAKE
Classified By: Political Counselor Ted Andrews, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 002983
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/24/2017
TAGS: PREL BE
SUBJECT: BELGIAN VIEWS ON EU-AFRICA SUMMIT -- OPPOSED TO
MUGABE, BUT NOT INVITING HIM TO SUMMIT A MISTAKE
Classified By: Political Counselor Ted Andrews, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Belgian FM De Gucht strongly supports the idea of
holding the EU-Africa Summit, according to MFA African
Affairs Director Trouveroy (protect). It could play a useful
role in limiting Chinese influence on the continent, as well
as offer a forum to discuss other important issues. That
said, De Gucht thought the summit plan had at least one
fundamental flaw. It would have been better, Trouveroy told
polcouns on September 21, for the planners to have selected
several topics of common interest and then invited "those who
wanted to discuss them." Doing so might have obviated the
need to invite every African leader to attend the meeting.
De Gucht's greatest fear now was that the present "bloc to
bloc" approach had created conditions in which one side or
the other would have to give way under potentially harmful
circumstances.
2. (C) With regard to the issue of inviting President Mugabe,
De Gucht has expressed doubts about any decision not to issue
an invitation. Although "we obviously don't like what is
happening in Zimbabwe," Trouveroy argued, "there are some
leaders doing worse than Mugabe." If the latter retained a
broad measure of support from other African states, the
invitation question will threaten the entire summit.
3. (C) The Belgians reportedly have outlined their views at
the most recent Gymnich meeting. They will continue to do so
as the summit date approached, Trouveroy indicated. Fox
.
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/24/2017
TAGS: PREL BE
SUBJECT: BELGIAN VIEWS ON EU-AFRICA SUMMIT -- OPPOSED TO
MUGABE, BUT NOT INVITING HIM TO SUMMIT A MISTAKE
Classified By: Political Counselor Ted Andrews, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Belgian FM De Gucht strongly supports the idea of
holding the EU-Africa Summit, according to MFA African
Affairs Director Trouveroy (protect). It could play a useful
role in limiting Chinese influence on the continent, as well
as offer a forum to discuss other important issues. That
said, De Gucht thought the summit plan had at least one
fundamental flaw. It would have been better, Trouveroy told
polcouns on September 21, for the planners to have selected
several topics of common interest and then invited "those who
wanted to discuss them." Doing so might have obviated the
need to invite every African leader to attend the meeting.
De Gucht's greatest fear now was that the present "bloc to
bloc" approach had created conditions in which one side or
the other would have to give way under potentially harmful
circumstances.
2. (C) With regard to the issue of inviting President Mugabe,
De Gucht has expressed doubts about any decision not to issue
an invitation. Although "we obviously don't like what is
happening in Zimbabwe," Trouveroy argued, "there are some
leaders doing worse than Mugabe." If the latter retained a
broad measure of support from other African states, the
invitation question will threaten the entire summit.
3. (C) The Belgians reportedly have outlined their views at
the most recent Gymnich meeting. They will continue to do so
as the summit date approached, Trouveroy indicated. Fox
.