BELGIUM CLARIFIES ITS ROLE IN AFGHANISTAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 000582 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/18/2018 TAGS: PREL MOPS NATO EAID AF BE SUBJECT: BELGIUM CLARIFIES ITS ROLE IN AFGHANISTAN REF: (A) 06 BRUSSELS 4152 (B) 07 BRUSSELS 233 (C) BRUSSELS 0062 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Wayne J. Bush, reasons 4 b/d. ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In the context of opposition calls reported in the media for Belgium to press NATO partners for a clear "exit strategy" from Afghanistan, DCM and PolCouns called on MFA Political Director for Bilateral Affairs Dirk Achten on April 9 to clarify Belgium's position. Achten said that Belgium's consideration of a so-called &exit strategy8 for Afghanistan means they are looking at stability and security in Afghanistan with a view to the near future and considering options for troop deployment and other military contributions. The Belgians are also very interested in how they can increase their contributions to the civilian side in development assistance and training efforts (Ref A). END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) MFA Director for European Security Pol de Witte reiterated Achten,s views on April 14. He noted the appearances of PM Leterme and MoD De Crem before the House Foreign Affairs and Defense Committees last week (septel) to explain the rules of engagement in Afghanistan, telling the committees Belgian aircraft would be used for NATO tasks, under NATO Rules of Engagement. New is that the MoD is seriously examining lifting some national caveats, an important change from previous commitments. Leterme announced formally in parliament that Belgium's four F-16s will be deployed to Afghanistan for an initial mission of four months; de Witte said the mission is expected to be renewed for an additional six months. The Belgians will send around 100 military support staff with the planes, designated for NATO tasks and to support the Dutch in southern Afghanistan. When Belgium turns over control of Kabul airport (KAIA) to Hungary at the end of October, it will redeploy 40 of its troops to OMLTs in either Kabul or Kunduz. ¶3. (C) On the civilian side, de Witte recognized the need for additional efforts and contributions in Afghanistan and said a senior diplomat is working on contributions that Belgium will announce at the June 12 Paris conference. Belgium is interested in a security reinforcement fund, reconstruction and development projects (comment: until now done through non-Belgian NGO's) as well as the areas of good governance and rule of law. The government is trying to convince politicians that it is hard for Belgium not/not to be in Afghanistan. ¶4. (C) De Witte echoed Achten that there is not an exit strategy as the former MoD Flahaut has demanded via the press; rather, Belgium is part of ISAF and ISAF, said de Witte, cannot leave before Afghanistan can stand on its own. Belgium knows Afghanistan is a long term commitment, both militarily and on the assistance and development side, he added. "Afghanization is our exit strategy. It is true we will be there for years." .