BRIEFING BELGIUM ON FOREIGN FIGHTERS

S E C R E T BRUSSELS 000661 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/30/2018 TAGS: PREL PTER BE SUBJECT: BRIEFING BELGIUM ON FOREIGN FIGHTERS REF: APRIL 4 STATE-BRUSSELS SVTS Classified By: POL/ECONCOUNS RICHARD EASON. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (S/NF) Post continues to follow up with the Belgians regarding the Belgium-specific information on the flow of foreign terrorists into Iraq presented to the GOB on April 9, per ref instructions. (Post relayed reporting information to the Department April 10). DCM and PolCouns demarched MFA Director-General for Bilateral Affairs Dirk Achten on April 9, who requested an additional briefing for MFA Deputy Political Director and Counterterrorism Coordinator Andre Ceulemans. PolCouns and POLOFF demarched Ceulemans on April 9, and asked for Belgian assistance in getting Syria to control the flow through its borders. Ceulemans was receptive, noting that Belgium was particularly concerned about the Al Qaida presence in Northern Africa. ¶2. (S/NF) POLOFF spoke with Ceulemans again April 30. Ceulemans concurred that more had to be done with Syria and said he had submitted the information to the relevant Belgian counterterrorism services for review. He thought some of the information was already known and hoped to have more substantive feedback soon. ¶3. (U) Post will continue to urge Belgian assistance at the highest levels. FOX .