Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BRUSSELS832
2008-06-02 15:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:
BELGIUM SEEKING A SOLUTION TO THE UNMEE DILEMMA
how-toVZCZCXYZ0022 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHBS #0832 1541556 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 021556Z JUN 08 FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7525 INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 0254 RUEHAE/AMEMBASSY ASMARA 0035 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1734 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1542 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 2114 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0243
UNCLAS BRUSSELS 000832
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNSC KPKO PBTS ET ER BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM SEEKING A SOLUTION TO THE UNMEE DILEMMA
REF: STATE 058446
UNCLAS BRUSSELS 000832
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNSC KPKO PBTS ET ER BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM SEEKING A SOLUTION TO THE UNMEE DILEMMA
REF: STATE 058446
1. (SBU) Poloff delivered reftel points June 2 to Wilm
Geurts and Rudi Brieven of the Belgian MFA UN Directorate,
Security Council, and also shared the points with the MFA
Eritrea and Ethiopia Desk Officer Isabelle Maduda-Lukebamoko.
Although they have no specific instructions yet, they said
Belgium would not obstruct UNMEE's termination if all on the
security council agree. They noted it will be difficult to
remove UNMEE without having something to put in its place and
then try to go back at a later date, so it is important to
address all UNSC member concerns before ending UNMEE.
2. (SBU) They said Belgium has the lead on Eritrea for the
UNSC and they fully understand the U.S. points. As the lead,
Belgium has the responsibility to find a credible solution
acceptable to all UNSC members, taking into account Russian
and French concerns about moving too fast and Italian and
South African concerns not to dismantle UNMEE without
something to replace it. The Belgians said they proposed a
two-prong solution to the UN, including an observer mission
to be stationed on the border on the Ethiopian side and UN
liaison offices in both capitals, and that a letter to this
effect should go out soon if all UNSC members, including the
U.S., are willing to send it.
FOX
.
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNSC KPKO PBTS ET ER BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM SEEKING A SOLUTION TO THE UNMEE DILEMMA
REF: STATE 058446
1. (SBU) Poloff delivered reftel points June 2 to Wilm
Geurts and Rudi Brieven of the Belgian MFA UN Directorate,
Security Council, and also shared the points with the MFA
Eritrea and Ethiopia Desk Officer Isabelle Maduda-Lukebamoko.
Although they have no specific instructions yet, they said
Belgium would not obstruct UNMEE's termination if all on the
security council agree. They noted it will be difficult to
remove UNMEE without having something to put in its place and
then try to go back at a later date, so it is important to
address all UNSC member concerns before ending UNMEE.
2. (SBU) They said Belgium has the lead on Eritrea for the
UNSC and they fully understand the U.S. points. As the lead,
Belgium has the responsibility to find a credible solution
acceptable to all UNSC members, taking into account Russian
and French concerns about moving too fast and Italian and
South African concerns not to dismantle UNMEE without
something to replace it. The Belgians said they proposed a
two-prong solution to the UN, including an observer mission
to be stationed on the border on the Ethiopian side and UN
liaison offices in both capitals, and that a letter to this
effect should go out soon if all UNSC members, including the
U.S., are willing to send it.
FOX
.