Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BRUSSELS1618
2008-10-20 11:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:
BELGIUM: EXTRADITION AND MLAT RATIFICATION PROCESS
how-toVZCZCXRO9418 RR RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHBS #1618 2941115 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 201115Z OCT 08 FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8135 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 001618
SIPDIS
STATE PASS EUR/WE, EUR/ERA, AND L/LEI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/15/2018
TAGS: CJAN EUN KCRM KJUST KTIA PGOV PREL BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM: EXTRADITION AND MLAT RATIFICATION PROCESS
ON TRACK
REF: STATE 104974
Classified By: Acting Political Economic Counselor Robert Kiene for Rea
sons 1.4 (B) and (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 001618
SIPDIS
STATE PASS EUR/WE, EUR/ERA, AND L/LEI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/15/2018
TAGS: CJAN EUN KCRM KJUST KTIA PGOV PREL BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM: EXTRADITION AND MLAT RATIFICATION PROCESS
ON TRACK
REF: STATE 104974
Classified By: Acting Political Economic Counselor Robert Kiene for Rea
sons 1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (C) PolEconOff spoke with MFA Counselor for Justice and
Legal Issues Peter Claes (Directorate General for European
Cooperation and Coordination) on September 30, October 9, and
October 14 to discuss the status of the Extradition and MLAT
ratification process. Claes indicated the European
Commission has pressured both FM DeGucht and JustMin
Vandeurzen on the need to ratify the treaties as soon as
possible. The GOB is aware of the urgency. Claes confirmed
the treaty package would go to the Council of Ministers
Friday, October 24, and expected its transfer to the Conseil
d'Etat for judicial review the following week. The Conseil's
review process requires one month. Once the Conseil's review
is complete, it will move to Parliament, where the Belgian
administration has already begun to prepare Parliamentarians
for its arrival and hopefully quick passage. Reftel's
December prediction for passage remains accurate.
2. (C) Post believes the Belgian system is functioning, as
quickly as possible. We are confident the MFA and Justice
Ministry will do what is necessary to move the treaty through
the Belgian ratification process. We will continue to
communicate with our contacts on a regular basis and monitor
the treaties' progress. Our contacts warn that undue
pressure at high levels may in this case be counter
productive.
.
SIPDIS
STATE PASS EUR/WE, EUR/ERA, AND L/LEI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/15/2018
TAGS: CJAN EUN KCRM KJUST KTIA PGOV PREL BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM: EXTRADITION AND MLAT RATIFICATION PROCESS
ON TRACK
REF: STATE 104974
Classified By: Acting Political Economic Counselor Robert Kiene for Rea
sons 1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (C) PolEconOff spoke with MFA Counselor for Justice and
Legal Issues Peter Claes (Directorate General for European
Cooperation and Coordination) on September 30, October 9, and
October 14 to discuss the status of the Extradition and MLAT
ratification process. Claes indicated the European
Commission has pressured both FM DeGucht and JustMin
Vandeurzen on the need to ratify the treaties as soon as
possible. The GOB is aware of the urgency. Claes confirmed
the treaty package would go to the Council of Ministers
Friday, October 24, and expected its transfer to the Conseil
d'Etat for judicial review the following week. The Conseil's
review process requires one month. Once the Conseil's review
is complete, it will move to Parliament, where the Belgian
administration has already begun to prepare Parliamentarians
for its arrival and hopefully quick passage. Reftel's
December prediction for passage remains accurate.
2. (C) Post believes the Belgian system is functioning, as
quickly as possible. We are confident the MFA and Justice
Ministry will do what is necessary to move the treaty through
the Belgian ratification process. We will continue to
communicate with our contacts on a regular basis and monitor
the treaties' progress. Our contacts warn that undue
pressure at high levels may in this case be counter
productive.
.