Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BRUSSELS1885
2008-12-12 18:04:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:
BELGIAN MFA MORE REALISTIC THAN OPTIMISTIC ON
how-toVZCZCXRO5152 PP RUEHAG RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHBS #1885 3471804 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 121804Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8345 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHLGB/AMEMBASSY KIGALI PRIORITY 0401 RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA PRIORITY 0487 RHEFDHN/DIA DH WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 001885
SIPDIS
STATE PASS EUR/WE AND AF/C
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/12/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV CG RW BE
SUBJECT: BELGIAN MFA MORE REALISTIC THAN OPTIMISTIC ON
RWANDA DRC GOMA MEETING
REF: KINSHASA 1081
Classified By: Deputy 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 001885
SIPDIS
STATE PASS EUR/WE AND AF/C
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/12/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV CG RW BE
SUBJECT: BELGIAN MFA MORE REALISTIC THAN OPTIMISTIC ON
RWANDA DRC GOMA MEETING
REF: KINSHASA 1081
Classified By: Deputy Political Economic Counselor Robert Kiene for Rea
sons 1.4 (B) and (D).
1. (C) According to MFA Congo Desk Officer Koen Adam, the
Belgian government took note of the Rwanda - DRC statements
from the December 4-5 Goma meeting. The GOB recognized
several positive statements, and appreciated the goals to
which the two countries committed. Belgium is realistic,
however, and recalls that previous statements have not led to
positive results. He added that if the two countries move
forward on their new agenda, the Belgians would be
supportive, as would the French. The next step would be to
determine how the international community could facilitate
the rapproachment. Adam suggested this would be an
appropriate agenda item for the next working group meeting.
2. (C) Adam listed three of the Goma meeting takeaways as
noteworthy, and offered commentary on each (the FDLR plan,
restoration of diplomatic relations, and Congolese
participation in the Economic Community of Great Lake
Countries (CPGL)). He mentioned the GOB had attempted to
reinvigorate the CPGL for some time to no avail. The FDLR
commitment was noteworthy because the DRC recognized the FDLR
as a problem for the first time. Adam expressed skepticism
that cooperation against the FDLR is realistic, as it
includes Rwandan forces and possibly intelligence on DRC
territory; without a neutral force (such as MONUC) the two
"allies" could easily end up fighting each other. If the
goal of improving diplomatic relations is a true commitment,
the international community should confirm this willingness
and promote it. He summed up by commenting that Belgium
remembered many failed promises, but now it looked as though
Rwanda and the DRC may be working together constructively.
.
SIPDIS
STATE PASS EUR/WE AND AF/C
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/12/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV CG RW BE
SUBJECT: BELGIAN MFA MORE REALISTIC THAN OPTIMISTIC ON
RWANDA DRC GOMA MEETING
REF: KINSHASA 1081
Classified By: Deputy Political Economic Counselor Robert Kiene for Rea
sons 1.4 (B) and (D).
1. (C) According to MFA Congo Desk Officer Koen Adam, the
Belgian government took note of the Rwanda - DRC statements
from the December 4-5 Goma meeting. The GOB recognized
several positive statements, and appreciated the goals to
which the two countries committed. Belgium is realistic,
however, and recalls that previous statements have not led to
positive results. He added that if the two countries move
forward on their new agenda, the Belgians would be
supportive, as would the French. The next step would be to
determine how the international community could facilitate
the rapproachment. Adam suggested this would be an
appropriate agenda item for the next working group meeting.
2. (C) Adam listed three of the Goma meeting takeaways as
noteworthy, and offered commentary on each (the FDLR plan,
restoration of diplomatic relations, and Congolese
participation in the Economic Community of Great Lake
Countries (CPGL)). He mentioned the GOB had attempted to
reinvigorate the CPGL for some time to no avail. The FDLR
commitment was noteworthy because the DRC recognized the FDLR
as a problem for the first time. Adam expressed skepticism
that cooperation against the FDLR is realistic, as it
includes Rwandan forces and possibly intelligence on DRC
territory; without a neutral force (such as MONUC) the two
"allies" could easily end up fighting each other. If the
goal of improving diplomatic relations is a true commitment,
the international community should confirm this willingness
and promote it. He summed up by commenting that Belgium
remembered many failed promises, but now it looked as though
Rwanda and the DRC may be working together constructively.
.