Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BRUSSELS1820
2008-12-02 16:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:
BELGIUM PUSHES FOR AN EU BRIDGING FORCE FOR THE
how-toVZCZCXRO4088 OO RUEHAG RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHBS #1820 3371618 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 021618Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8278 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHLGB/AMEMBASSY KIGALI PRIORITY 0400 RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA PRIORITY 0483 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 1771 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RHEFDHN/DIA DH WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 001820
SIPDIS
STATE PASS EUR/WE KATE SHARP AND MARK POWELL, AF/C
CHRISTOPHER LAMORA AND EUR/RPM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV CG BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM PUSHES FOR AN EU BRIDGING FORCE FOR THE
CONGO
Classified By: Political Economic Counselor Richard Eason
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 001820
SIPDIS
STATE PASS EUR/WE KATE SHARP AND MARK POWELL, AF/C
CHRISTOPHER LAMORA AND EUR/RPM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV CG BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM PUSHES FOR AN EU BRIDGING FORCE FOR THE
CONGO
Classified By: Political Economic Counselor Richard Eason
1. (C) MFA Congo Desk told Poloff December 2 that FM De Gucht
would attempt to gauge Allied interest in an EU bridging
force for the Congo at today's NATO Ministerial. Belgium is
looking to see if other partners are ready. Belgium wants to
be part of a force but cannot take the lead. Should a force
be raised, the MFA expects the Belgian Cabinet to quickly
decide in favor of a deployment; the MFA plans to discuss a
possible force in Parliament this week. The bridging force
would provide security for a few months until the increased
MONUC troops were deployed. Post will follow up later in the
week.
2. (C) U.K. DCM contacted Poloff December 2 to coordinate on
the U.S. approach to the Belgians regarding the Congo. UKDCM
spoke with MFA contacts December 1, who expressed confidence
that a motion to contribute troops would pass Parliament.
The MFA told him that Belgium was less inclined to contribute
to MONUC, confirming earlier statements provided to Poloff.
When asked where other European countries stood, UKDCM said
that many were concerned with mission creep should a European
force be sent to Congo; MONUC is a large force with a solid
mandate to take action. However, UNSYG Ban may have
specifically requested a bridging force from the EU, which
might encourage some member states to provide more troops. A
bridging force could possibly take over security at Goma
airport to free up MONUC troops for other missions. UKDCM
added that his government had been sitting on the fence due
to troop commitments elsewhere, but like other Allies, said
the decision process might be in flux.
FOX
.
SIPDIS
STATE PASS EUR/WE KATE SHARP AND MARK POWELL, AF/C
CHRISTOPHER LAMORA AND EUR/RPM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV CG BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM PUSHES FOR AN EU BRIDGING FORCE FOR THE
CONGO
Classified By: Political Economic Counselor Richard Eason
1. (C) MFA Congo Desk told Poloff December 2 that FM De Gucht
would attempt to gauge Allied interest in an EU bridging
force for the Congo at today's NATO Ministerial. Belgium is
looking to see if other partners are ready. Belgium wants to
be part of a force but cannot take the lead. Should a force
be raised, the MFA expects the Belgian Cabinet to quickly
decide in favor of a deployment; the MFA plans to discuss a
possible force in Parliament this week. The bridging force
would provide security for a few months until the increased
MONUC troops were deployed. Post will follow up later in the
week.
2. (C) U.K. DCM contacted Poloff December 2 to coordinate on
the U.S. approach to the Belgians regarding the Congo. UKDCM
spoke with MFA contacts December 1, who expressed confidence
that a motion to contribute troops would pass Parliament.
The MFA told him that Belgium was less inclined to contribute
to MONUC, confirming earlier statements provided to Poloff.
When asked where other European countries stood, UKDCM said
that many were concerned with mission creep should a European
force be sent to Congo; MONUC is a large force with a solid
mandate to take action. However, UNSYG Ban may have
specifically requested a bridging force from the EU, which
might encourage some member states to provide more troops. A
bridging force could possibly take over security at Goma
airport to free up MONUC troops for other missions. UKDCM
added that his government had been sitting on the fence due
to troop commitments elsewhere, but like other Allies, said
the decision process might be in flux.
FOX
.