FOLLOW-UP ON INVITATION TO ISTANBUL PROSECUTOR'S

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 000395 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2018 TAGS: PTER PREL BE SUBJECT: FOLLOW-UP ON INVITATION TO ISTANBUL PROSECUTOR'S ROUNDTABLE REF: A. STATE 27242 ¶B. STATE 24246 ¶C. BOWMAN-ROTHSCHILD EMAIL 3/14/08 Classified By: POLCOUNS LYNN GURIAN. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (SBU) Embassy LEGATT spoke with Belgian Federal Prosecutor Johan Delmulle March 12 about Belgian attendance at the roundtable for European prosecutors to be co-hosted by the Turkish Ministry of Justice and the Resident Legal Advisor in Ankara and originally scheduled for March (ref B). Delmulle said, despite his office's enthusiasm for the idea, Belgium would not be able to send a representative due to other commitments. ¶2. (C) Comment: Delmulle seemed disappointed that his office would not attend the conference, wondering if "political elements" had indirectly weighed in on the decision. He reiterated, however, Belgian commitment to investigating PKK activity (LEGATT notes recent engagement and a request for assistance on a PKK investigation by the Belgians). Post will follow up with Belgian political leadership to urge attendance at the conference, which has been rescheduled for June. FOX