Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BRUSSELS1337
2008-08-28 13:10:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:
TFGG01 - DEMARCHE REQUEST ON BELGIAN MFA (CURRENT
how-toVZCZCXYZ0031 NN RUEHWEB DE RUEHBS #1337 2411310 ZNY CCCCC ZZH ZZK O 281310Z AUG 08 ZFF4 FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC NIACT IMMEDIATE 7923 INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI IMMEDIATE 0266 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0254 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO IMMEDIATE 8362
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 001337
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR IO/UNP K.G. MOORE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/27/2018
TAGS: UNSC PREL GG BE
SUBJECT: TFGG01 - DEMARCHE REQUEST ON BELGIAN MFA (CURRENT
UNSC CHAIR) RE EMERGENCY SESSION TODAY
REF: A. STATE 92371
B. 92325
C. 91894 AND 90978
Classified By: POL/ECON Counselor Richard Eason for reasons 4 b/d
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 001337
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR IO/UNP K.G. MOORE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/27/2018
TAGS: UNSC PREL GG BE
SUBJECT: TFGG01 - DEMARCHE REQUEST ON BELGIAN MFA (CURRENT
UNSC CHAIR) RE EMERGENCY SESSION TODAY
REF: A. STATE 92371
B. 92325
C. 91894 AND 90978
Classified By: POL/ECON Counselor Richard Eason for reasons 4 b/d
1. (C) SEE URGENT DEVELOPMENT IN PARA 4 (BELOW). The MFA of
Belgium, which this month chairs the UNSC, is in the process
of refining its instructions to Amb. Jan Grauls in New York
for today's emergency UNSC meeting that is being convened at
the request of the Government of Georgia. Before Poloff
could go down the list of what we want Permreps to say at
this meeting (REF A) Fons Borginon, deputy chief of cabinet
to FonMin De Gucht, said that the current Belgian talking
points begin with the forceful condemnation of Russia's
decision to recognize South Ossetia and Abhazia (which FonMin
De Gucht also made in a strongly-worded press release Aug 26)
and a call on Russia to (1) revoke its recognition; (2)
reaffirm Goergia's territorial integrity; and (3) implement
the Sarkozy plan, as clarified. It was almost as if he had
read our points before.
2. (C) When asked about calling on Russia to cooperate with
the OSCE, EU and UN to find an international mechanism to
bring stability, he said that this is always Belgium's
approach to such problems. He said there might also be a
point about the need for access for humanitarian aid.
3. (C) Our interlocutor made clear that these talking points
will not be cast in concrete until shortly before they are
sent to Amb Grauls at about 9:00 AM NY Time and they may also
include some way of trying to encourage a return to talking
with the Russians. He hinted that the Belgians take the fact
that the GOR has been writing opeds and editorials everywhere
this week as an indication that the Russians are not
altogether comfortable with the position they find themselves
in after recognizing these non-viable mini-states. What will
the Tchechens say? And China with its Uighurs won't like it
either.
4. (C) URGENT DEVELOPMENT: South Ossetia and Abkhazia have
asked to be heard at this meeting. So, when, at eleven AM NY
Time, Amb Grauls chairs a meeting to discuss the format of
this emergency session, he will have to figure out how to
handle this request in a way that does not advance these
mini-states' pretensions to recognition. COMMENT: Grauls, an
experienced multilateral diplomat, no doubt realizes
precisely what is at stake. END COMMENT
BUSH
.
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR IO/UNP K.G. MOORE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/27/2018
TAGS: UNSC PREL GG BE
SUBJECT: TFGG01 - DEMARCHE REQUEST ON BELGIAN MFA (CURRENT
UNSC CHAIR) RE EMERGENCY SESSION TODAY
REF: A. STATE 92371
B. 92325
C. 91894 AND 90978
Classified By: POL/ECON Counselor Richard Eason for reasons 4 b/d
1. (C) SEE URGENT DEVELOPMENT IN PARA 4 (BELOW). The MFA of
Belgium, which this month chairs the UNSC, is in the process
of refining its instructions to Amb. Jan Grauls in New York
for today's emergency UNSC meeting that is being convened at
the request of the Government of Georgia. Before Poloff
could go down the list of what we want Permreps to say at
this meeting (REF A) Fons Borginon, deputy chief of cabinet
to FonMin De Gucht, said that the current Belgian talking
points begin with the forceful condemnation of Russia's
decision to recognize South Ossetia and Abhazia (which FonMin
De Gucht also made in a strongly-worded press release Aug 26)
and a call on Russia to (1) revoke its recognition; (2)
reaffirm Goergia's territorial integrity; and (3) implement
the Sarkozy plan, as clarified. It was almost as if he had
read our points before.
2. (C) When asked about calling on Russia to cooperate with
the OSCE, EU and UN to find an international mechanism to
bring stability, he said that this is always Belgium's
approach to such problems. He said there might also be a
point about the need for access for humanitarian aid.
3. (C) Our interlocutor made clear that these talking points
will not be cast in concrete until shortly before they are
sent to Amb Grauls at about 9:00 AM NY Time and they may also
include some way of trying to encourage a return to talking
with the Russians. He hinted that the Belgians take the fact
that the GOR has been writing opeds and editorials everywhere
this week as an indication that the Russians are not
altogether comfortable with the position they find themselves
in after recognizing these non-viable mini-states. What will
the Tchechens say? And China with its Uighurs won't like it
either.
4. (C) URGENT DEVELOPMENT: South Ossetia and Abkhazia have
asked to be heard at this meeting. So, when, at eleven AM NY
Time, Amb Grauls chairs a meeting to discuss the format of
this emergency session, he will have to figure out how to
handle this request in a way that does not advance these
mini-states' pretensions to recognition. COMMENT: Grauls, an
experienced multilateral diplomat, no doubt realizes
precisely what is at stake. END COMMENT
BUSH
.