Ambassador's Comments on Belgium and

UNCLAS BRUSSELS 000392

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL BE AF
SUBJECT: Ambassador's Comments on Belgium and
Afghanistan Spark Parliamentary Exchange



1. (SBU) Summary: The Ambassador has used a series of
end-of-tour interviews with Belgium's print and
electronic media to highlight the need for Belgium to
make a greater contribution to the NATO effort in
Afghanistan. His pointed comments have gained prominent
attention, both as one of the lead items on national news
broadcasts and an exchange in Parliament during which the
Prime Minister declared publicly that Belgium would
fulfill its obligations and that Belgium's Afghanistan
policy had been developed after consultation with the
former SHAPE commander, General Jones. Coming in the
middle of the Ambassador's farewells, we have been able
to make clear to the Belgians that we have not given up
our efforts to secure a greater commitment to
Afghanistan. End summary.


2. (U) The Ambassador's planned departure from Belgium on
February 6 has provided him with a platform for pressing
a number of key USG concerns with the broader Belgian
public. He has spoken with major French and Flemish
media outlets, and a session with a journalist who hosts
a website aimed at a predominantly Muslim audience. This
outreach has sparked strongly positive coverage,
including praise for the Ambassador's straightforward,
open method of dealing with journalists. In each of his
interviews, the Ambassador accentuated the positives of
the last two and a half years, including Belgium's
amendment of its "universal competence" law, initiatives
to revive the Trans-Atlantic relationship, and close
cooperation with the U.S. on issues like Iran and
counter-terrorism.


3. (U) While highlighting the steady upturn in bilateral
relations, the Ambassador noted our continuing effort to
promote increased Belgian involvement in Afghanistan. He
specifically argued for Belgium (and other European
states) to do more there. In the case of Belgium, that
would mean providing additional troops to augment the
existing force of 300. The Ambassador noted that the
Verhofstadt government did intend to add about 40
additional forces later this year, when Belgium expected
to assume command over operations at Kabul airport.


4. (SBU) The Ambassador's remarks about Afghanistan had
an immediate impact on Belgium's internal political
debate. During the Prime Minister's February 1 Question
Time in Parliament, opposition floor leader De Crem
heckled PM Verhofstadt for not living up to Belgium's
obligations, even as he profligately pledged to provide
troops to UNIFIL, and expend extra Euro 30 million in
development aid for Afghanistan. The Prime Minister's
reply argued that Belgium had been present at the ground
floor of all major operations, and that there now were
1,200 troops serving overseas. Verhofstadt confirmed
plans to send a 40 person unit in October to oversee
airport management, and emphasized that Belgian actions
had followed a "long discussion" about Afghanistan's
future with former SACEUR General Jones. At a private
farewell dinner, FM De Gucht said that the only person in
the Cabinet who disagreed with Ambassador Korologos was
Minister of Defense Flahaut.


5. (SBU) The Prime Minister reaffirmed his position
during the Ambassador's farewell call on February 5.
Making clear that the Ambassador's interviews had caused
him no difficulties, the Prime Minister spoke acidly
about his Flemish Socialist coalition partners, who were
"against" everything. Asked about an earlier idea of
redeploying F-16's to Afghanistan, Verhofstadt said he
understand SACEUR did not want them.


6. (SBU) Comment: The prominent play given the
Ambassador's remarks about Afghanistan was a clear
reminder to the Belgians that we would continue to press
them about this issue. Although the June 10 elections
will undoubtedly limit interest in foreign affairs
issues, we will continue to seek out opportunities to
achieve this goal.
KOROLOGOS