Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BRUSSELS232
2008-02-11 10:57:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:
BELGIAN FM PLANNING MARCH 2 TRIP TO BAGHDAD
how-toVZCZCXRO4640 OO RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHBS #0232 0421057 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 111057Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS TO RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN IMMEDIATE 0087 RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD IMMEDIATE 0039 RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7009 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 8194
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 000232
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NOFORN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/10/2013
TAGS: PREL BE IZ
SUBJECT: BELGIAN FM PLANNING MARCH 2 TRIP TO BAGHDAD
Classified By: Political Counselor Theodore H Andrews, Reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 000232
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NOFORN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/10/2013
TAGS: PREL BE IZ
SUBJECT: BELGIAN FM PLANNING MARCH 2 TRIP TO BAGHDAD
Classified By: Political Counselor Theodore H Andrews, Reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)
1. (U) Action request -- see paragraph three.
2. (C) Belgian FM Karel De Gucht is planning to a one day
visit to Baghdad on March 2, according to senior members of
his staff. The MFA expects to announce this information
itself shortly before the Minister's trip, thereby short
circuiting at least some of the anticipated protest from the
Opposition benches in Parliament. De Gucht wants to observe
the current situation for himself, make contacts with the
Iraqi government and, as his Chief of Staff put it, "bring
the situation home to the Iraqi people." To that end, he
expects to travel with a number of journalists. The DCM
promised De Gucht's staff that we (i.e., Embassy Brussels)
would do all possible to facilitate the trip.
3. (C) Action request: Please advise on how the Belgians can
receive clearance for a Belgian government-owned aircraft to
land in Baghdad early on March 2 and depart later the same
day. De Gucht would arrive from Amman, where he intends to
arrive on March 1. The Belgians told us they expect to use a
British security firm called CRG for their security in the
region. The Belgian Embassy in Amman is handling logistics
for the visit.
4. (C) Comment: This action follows many years of lobbying.
Following the recent announcement of plans to send additional
forces to Afghanistan, it provides another indication that
the Belgians have decided to return their foreign policy
toward the path it followed during the years after World War
Two. Fox
.
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NOFORN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/10/2013
TAGS: PREL BE IZ
SUBJECT: BELGIAN FM PLANNING MARCH 2 TRIP TO BAGHDAD
Classified By: Political Counselor Theodore H Andrews, Reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)
1. (U) Action request -- see paragraph three.
2. (C) Belgian FM Karel De Gucht is planning to a one day
visit to Baghdad on March 2, according to senior members of
his staff. The MFA expects to announce this information
itself shortly before the Minister's trip, thereby short
circuiting at least some of the anticipated protest from the
Opposition benches in Parliament. De Gucht wants to observe
the current situation for himself, make contacts with the
Iraqi government and, as his Chief of Staff put it, "bring
the situation home to the Iraqi people." To that end, he
expects to travel with a number of journalists. The DCM
promised De Gucht's staff that we (i.e., Embassy Brussels)
would do all possible to facilitate the trip.
3. (C) Action request: Please advise on how the Belgians can
receive clearance for a Belgian government-owned aircraft to
land in Baghdad early on March 2 and depart later the same
day. De Gucht would arrive from Amman, where he intends to
arrive on March 1. The Belgians told us they expect to use a
British security firm called CRG for their security in the
region. The Belgian Embassy in Amman is handling logistics
for the visit.
4. (C) Comment: This action follows many years of lobbying.
Following the recent announcement of plans to send additional
forces to Afghanistan, it provides another indication that
the Belgians have decided to return their foreign policy
toward the path it followed during the years after World War
Two. Fox
.