RESPONDING TO TERROR THREAT, BELGIAN AUTHORITIES

UNCLAS BRUSSELS 003540 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PINS PTER ASEC BE SUBJECT: RESPONDING TO TERROR THREAT, BELGIAN AUTHORITIES ARREST 14, IMPLEMENT "VISIBLE" SECURITY MEASURES IN BRUSSELS THROUGH JANUARY 2 ¶1. (U) Belgian authorities have arrested 14 people believed to be planning the escape from prison of Nizar Trabelsi, a Tunisian-born former pro-soccer player convicted in 2004 of planning to attack a Belgian base used by the U.S. Air Force. The anti-terror unit of the Brussels Judicial Police made the arrests during the morning of December 21. After searching 15 properties, the police reported seizing a quantity of explosives and firearms. This find confirmed a fear that those arrested may well have been planning other attacks in the Brussels area during the holiday season, according to a government spokesperson. ¶2. (U) The police action also prompted a decision to institute several extraordinary security measures in Brussels through January 2. These "visible" measures include extra security at railway stations, metro stops, the airport, large stores, Christmas Markets, and popular tourist spots like the city's Grand Place. Authorities also have urged the public to be more vigilant. The Embassy's warden message on this subject was issued shortly after the police announcement. ¶3. (U) Belgian PM Guy Verhofstadt, newly named to head an interim government after six months of fruitless attempts to fashion a "permanent" government, told reporters that he and other senior officials had been following the security situation closely. The police action made clear that the authorities were "on top" of the situation and "absolutely" not distracted by the prolonged government formation crisis, he said. No other public officials have commented on the matter as yet, and Verhofstadt did not refer to the matter in the December 21, 2007 address he made to parliament announcing the new government's formation. ¶4. (U) Additional reporting on this matter is available in other channels. Bush .