BELGIANS SUPPORT CONTINUED NEGOTIATIONS ON ARAB

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 001033 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2018 TAGS: IS PREL UNSC BE SUBJECT: BELGIANS SUPPORT CONTINUED NEGOTIATIONS ON ARAB GROUP DRAFT RESOLUTION, THOUGH AGREE SETTLEMENT ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE HALTED REF: STATE 73171 Classified By: POL MGURIAN for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). ¶1. (C) According to Christophe De Bassompierre in the MFA UNSC office, the Belgians agree, and have already sent instructions to their UN delegation, to urge continued negotiations on points included in reftel. However, the Belgians think settlement activities should be halted. Thus, if there is a motion for an immediate vote on a resolution solely dealing with a halt to settlement activities, they have not decided how they will vote. Discussions are still underway as to whether or not they will abstain (they do not really want to vote against halting such activities), although much will depend on what the other EU nations decide. The Belgians would prefer to go along with a common EU position. ¶2. (C) De Bassompierre said the Libyans have asked for consultations, so he thinks no vote will take place before July 10. He also noted the French are putting pressure on certain Arab states to postpone any vote for now. The French, under their EU Presidency hat, are organizing a summit for early next week on a new initiative between EU and Mediterranean countries; Israel is invited along with regional Arab countries. The French would like to avoid any controversial vote before this summit. FOX .