Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BRUSSELS1046
2008-07-11 12:31:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:
BELGIANS MAY RELUCTANTLY GIVE FUNDS FOR NTM-I, BUT
how-toVZCZCXRO4874 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHBS #1046 1931231 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 111231Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7676 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0052 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 001046
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/11/2018
TAGS: PREL MARR NATO IZ BE
SUBJECT: BELGIANS MAY RELUCTANTLY GIVE FUNDS FOR NTM-I, BUT
NOT TO BE USED IN IRAQ
REF: STATE 73794
Classified By: POL MGURIAN for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 001046
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/11/2018
TAGS: PREL MARR NATO IZ BE
SUBJECT: BELGIANS MAY RELUCTANTLY GIVE FUNDS FOR NTM-I, BUT
NOT TO BE USED IN IRAQ
REF: STATE 73794
Classified By: POL MGURIAN for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Poloff discussed reftel points with Belgian MFA NATO
desk officer Frederic Meurice, who expressed surprise at
NATO's continuing insistence on training Iraqi security
forces in Iraq. He noted the Belgian reservations about
supporting the Iraq war and pointed out that Belgium has
always specified any funding it provides for the training of
Iraqi forces has to be used outside of Iraq. Belgium
contributed 300,000 Euros over the two years of 2005-2006,
but attached that caveat. At one time Belgium had four
police officers working in the NTM-I program who were based
in Jordan and the Belgians also worked within a framework
under a trilateral agreement with Germany and the UAE as they
supported eight Belgian military personnel who participated
in training Iraqi military in the UAE. Belgium also
contributed 70,000 Euros to EUJUSTLEX, a rule of law and
justice program under the EU Security and Defense Policy, to
train 20 Iraqi judges and police officers in Belgium in 2008
and will probably have a similar program in 2009.
2. (C) Meurice said he did not think the MOD would have the
budget (and a contact in the MOD agreed) to commit to new
programs to train Iraqis, citing Belgian commitments to
training missions in the Congo and Afghanistan. Meurice said
the Belgians will more discussions on the July 1 NATO
agreement to expand the NTM-I. He thought if Belgium does
decide to contribute again, it would probably be only money
and only under the same caveat to spend the money outside
Iraq. The MOD contact said Belgium could possibly provide
trainers, but he also made it very clear they would only do
the training outside Iraq.
3. (C) Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht had planned a trip to
Iraq in March, but postponed it. Meurice thinks it is De
Gucht's intention to travel to Iraq, with the objective of
changing and improving the bilateral relations, but Meurice
had no information about possible rescheduling. According to
De Gucht's office, the trip is "still under consideration."
EASON
.
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/11/2018
TAGS: PREL MARR NATO IZ BE
SUBJECT: BELGIANS MAY RELUCTANTLY GIVE FUNDS FOR NTM-I, BUT
NOT TO BE USED IN IRAQ
REF: STATE 73794
Classified By: POL MGURIAN for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Poloff discussed reftel points with Belgian MFA NATO
desk officer Frederic Meurice, who expressed surprise at
NATO's continuing insistence on training Iraqi security
forces in Iraq. He noted the Belgian reservations about
supporting the Iraq war and pointed out that Belgium has
always specified any funding it provides for the training of
Iraqi forces has to be used outside of Iraq. Belgium
contributed 300,000 Euros over the two years of 2005-2006,
but attached that caveat. At one time Belgium had four
police officers working in the NTM-I program who were based
in Jordan and the Belgians also worked within a framework
under a trilateral agreement with Germany and the UAE as they
supported eight Belgian military personnel who participated
in training Iraqi military in the UAE. Belgium also
contributed 70,000 Euros to EUJUSTLEX, a rule of law and
justice program under the EU Security and Defense Policy, to
train 20 Iraqi judges and police officers in Belgium in 2008
and will probably have a similar program in 2009.
2. (C) Meurice said he did not think the MOD would have the
budget (and a contact in the MOD agreed) to commit to new
programs to train Iraqis, citing Belgian commitments to
training missions in the Congo and Afghanistan. Meurice said
the Belgians will more discussions on the July 1 NATO
agreement to expand the NTM-I. He thought if Belgium does
decide to contribute again, it would probably be only money
and only under the same caveat to spend the money outside
Iraq. The MOD contact said Belgium could possibly provide
trainers, but he also made it very clear they would only do
the training outside Iraq.
3. (C) Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht had planned a trip to
Iraq in March, but postponed it. Meurice thinks it is De
Gucht's intention to travel to Iraq, with the objective of
changing and improving the bilateral relations, but Meurice
had no information about possible rescheduling. According to
De Gucht's office, the trip is "still under consideration."
EASON
.