Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BRUSSELS974
2008-06-26 15:37:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:  

BELGIAN JUSTICE MINISTER SUPPORTS INCREASED

Tags:  ASEC PTER PGOV SOCI PINR PREL BE 
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VZCZCXYZ0003
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBS #0974 1781537
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 261537Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7627
INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEAWJA/DOJ WASHDC
S E C R E T BRUSSELS 000974 

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2018
TAGS: ASEC PTER PGOV SOCI PINR PREL BE
SUBJECT: BELGIAN JUSTICE MINISTER SUPPORTS INCREASED
COUNTER-TERRORISM MEASURES

Classified By: AMB SAM FOX FOR REASONS
S E C R E T BRUSSELS 000974

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2018
TAGS: ASEC PTER PGOV SOCI PINR PREL BE
SUBJECT: BELGIAN JUSTICE MINISTER SUPPORTS INCREASED
COUNTER-TERRORISM MEASURES

Classified By: AMB SAM FOX FOR REASONS 1. (B),(D) AND (G)


1. (S/NOFORN) Ambassador Fox and PolCouns met June 24 with
Belgian Justice Minister Jo Vandeurzen. Reactions from
Vandeurzen, his diplomatic advisor Marc Van den Reeck, and
legal advisor Erik Verberb were very positive as the
Ambassador emphasized the importance of sharing information
on counter-terrorism efforts. The Ambassador cited
especially the recent cooperation leading up to the December
21, 2007, arrests in Brussels and important information that
has resulted from that operation. The Ambassador and
Vandeurzen discussed the difficulty in Belgium for security
services in obtaining authorization for investigative
techniques critical to terrorism investigations.


2. (S/NOFORN) Vandeurzen said he has a new draft law in the
parliament that he hopes will make it easier for security
services to use wiretaps and other devices to obtain
information during a terrorism investigation. The new law
would enable the intel investigators to decide internally
whether or not to permit wiretaps. The issue is a sensitive
one in Belgium, the minister noted, but he said he thinks the
right people in parliament support the draft law and he hopes
it will be passed by year's end. Vandeurzen admitted that
even though there have been no direct attacks here, Belgium
is vulnerable to terrorism.

FOX
.