Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BRUSSELS949
2007-03-23 06:02:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:  

BELGIANS SET TO PASS BILL BARRING USE OF DEPLETED

Tags:  PARM MARR PREL BE 
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VZCZCXYZ0014
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBS #0949 0820602
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 230602Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4780
INFO RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 7854
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 000949 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/21/2012
TAGS: PARM MARR PREL BE
SUBJECT: BELGIANS SET TO PASS BILL BARRING USE OF DEPLETED
MUNITIONS BY BELGIAN FORCES


Classified By: Political Counselor Theodore H Andrews, Reason
1.4 (B)

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 000949

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/21/2012
TAGS: PARM MARR PREL BE
SUBJECT: BELGIANS SET TO PASS BILL BARRING USE OF DEPLETED
MUNITIONS BY BELGIAN FORCES


Classified By: Political Counselor Theodore H Andrews, Reason
1.4 (B)


1. (SBU) Summary: In a move designed to placate the vocal
pacifist lobby, Belgium's House of Representatives is poised
on March 22, 2007 to pass legislation barring Belgium's armed
forces from using depleted uranium munitions. A compromise
forged by mingling proposals tabled by the Flemish
Socialists, the French-speaking Greens, and the
French-speaking Christian Democrats, the proposed law would
not come into effect until two years after publication of the
implementing regulations. We believe we have succeeded in
protecting U.S. interests -- the law will not prevent Belgian
troops from participating, planning, or assisting operations
(e.g. with transportation) in which other troops are using
depleted uranium weapons. End Summary


2. (U) Belgian parliamentary leaders have confirmed press
reports that the lower house is likely to pass legislation on
March 22, 2007 that would make it illegal for Belgian troops
to use munitions employing depleted uranium. The vote should
be uneventful. It follows the unanimous passage of the draft
measure by the parliament's defense committee and the active
sponsorship of the proposal by the governing coalition's
parliamentary floor leader, Dirk Van Der Maelen, a Flemish
Socialist.


3. (C) In response to urgent queries by the embassy, both Van
Der Maelen and Defense Committee Chairman Stef Goris have
admitted that the measure is nothing more than a gesture.
They also have insisted that it serves a useful electoral
purpose for the socialists and liberals who make up the
coalition, not least by taking the steam out of a parallel
movement to enact more burdensome restrictions on the use of
cluster munitions. In addition, the bill lets the Flemish
socialists play to the pacifist movement, a significant
element of their base, while permitting the Liberals to
burnish their image in the same communit.


4. (SBU) Also in response to questions about the potential
for harm to the interests of the U.S. or other allies who use
depleted uranium, our contacts have pointed to several
points. Noting our concerns about restrictions on the
transit of U.S. material, the bill makes "absolutely no
mention" of the issue. The accompanying committee report of
the bill notes explicitly that Belgian forces can freely
participate, plan, and assist operations with troops using
depleted uranium. The bill itself includes language
indicating it applies exclusively to depleted uranium
munitions and to no other type of material.


5. (SBU) Comment: We are willing to accept assurances that
this proposed bill will do as little as its sponsors seem to
think. In the absence of large-scale press attention (such
as occurred with regard to the cluster munitions bill),it
appears likely that the current proposal will secure passage
and then get placed on the shelf. We will remain vigilant
nonetheless. New elections occur on June 10 that could bring
an even more favorable majority to power. End comment.
Imbrie