BELGIAN PM SAYS POSITIVE DECISION LIKELY ON F-16

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 000124 SIPDIS SIPDIS NOFORN E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2018 TAGS: PREL MARR BE AF SUBJECT: BELGIAN PM SAYS POSITIVE DECISION LIKELY ON F-16 DEPLOYMENT TO AFGHANISTAN REF: BRUSSELS Classified By: Ambassador Sam Fox, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Belgian PM Verhofstadt told the Ambassador on January 23, 2008 that he foresaw no difficulty in sending four Belgian F-16's to Afghanistan, and to expanding the activities of Belgian forces there to include sponsorship of an OMLT and further participation in the PRT program. Belgium's defense modernization program would continue substantially unchanged despite a tough budgetary environment. The Prime Minister made clear that he had pressed Pakistani President Musharraf to move forward on holding elections when the two met on January 21. Verhofstadt added that he had refused a request to meet with Iranian nuclear envoy Jalili, who would instead with FM De Gucht, who would stress the need for Iran to comply with the relevant UNSC resolutions. End Summary. ¶2. (U) The Ambassador met Belgian PM Verhofstadt on January ¶23. Polcouns (notetaker) accompanied the Ambassador, while Verhofstadt was joined by his Diplomatic Adviser. ¶3. (C) In response to questions, the PM said Belgium would be sending four F-16 aircraft to Afghanistan. He noted that the formal cabinet decision on this matter would occur before the end of January. This idea had broad support within the coalition, Verhofstadt said. He was also positive and encouraging when asked about Belgium's ability to undertake other activities in Afghanistan, including increased participation in PRTs and sponsorship of an OMLT. Defense Minister De Crem was preparing a full proposal for the same cabinet meeting that would consider the F-16 issue, according to Verhofstadt. The Ambassador welcomed the Prime Minister's news. ¶4. (C) De Crem's package for Afghanistan would have to take current budget realities into account, Verhofstadt maintained. Put simply, he will have to find a way to undertake a different policy within the restraints of his current budget. The overall Belgian federal government would be seeking about a one percent (or 3 billion euro) cut in order to come into balance. ¶5. (C) The need to balance the budget would not affect previous decisions to launch a defense modernization program. Without going into detail, he said the budget would reflect the major spending decisions of the past, but probably would not include some of the more expensive options considered by the last government. That said, the Prime Minister said he understood that the Defense Minister had announced plans to revoke a contract to place 90mm cannons on the new Armored Infantry Vehicle with larger guns. This was largely a "political matter," he said, and an element in the current minister's feud with his predecessor. ¶6. (C) Turning to the January 21 Brussels visit of Pakistani President Musharraf, the Prime Minister noted that he admired Musharraf for his courage, but questioned his ability to act in a political environment. Verhofstadt's meeting with Musharraf had centered on the Pakistani leader's attempt to justify the announcement of a state of emergency and replacement of the Supreme Court. Like EU High Representative Solana, the Belgian government urged the Pakistanis to move forward expeditiously toward holding open, honest elections. Belgium promised to support the EU in sending observers. ¶7. (C) Asked about the planned January 23 visit to Brussels of Iranian nuclear negotiator Jalili, Verhofstadt said he had declined a request for a meeting, believing that the current situation made it more appropriate for Jalili to meet with FM De Gucht. This was a reversal of a previous decision, since Verhofstadt had met with Jalili's predecessor. Belgium remained a staunch supporter of the UN approach. ¶8. (C) Comment: We are encouraged by Verhofstadt's willingness to speak bluntly about the proposed Afghanistan deployment. Based on his information, we expect the details of the deployment to be announced by early February. End comment. Fox .