THE SECRETARY'S MEETING WITH BELGIAN FOREIGN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BRUSSELS 001293

SIPDIS

FOR THE SECRETARY FROM AMBASSADOR GUTMAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/24/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV BE
SUBJECT: THE SECRETARY'S MEETING WITH BELGIAN FOREIGN
MINISTER YVES LETERME AT UNGA

Classified By: DCM Wayne Bush, reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Madame Secretary, In your first meeting
with Belgian Foreign Minister (former Primer Minister) Yves
Leterme in New York, Leterme is likely to focus on the lack
of direct Belgian participation in the G-20, and perhaps be
rather forceful in his manner. You should express
appreciation for Belgium's decision to accept a Guantanamo
detainee, and encourage further Belgian steps on this issue.
The Belgians have made significant military and development
assistance commitments to Afghanistan through the end of

2010. Leterme is also likely to raise the Democratic
Republic of the Congo. Belgium was elected with us to the
Human Rights Council this year, and assumes the EU Presidency
in the second half of 2010. Suggested talking points appear
at para. 9. END SUMMARY.

G-20
--------------


2. (SBU) As the world's 18th largest economy, the Belgians
are concerned and somewhat upset that they, like a number of
similarly sized EU economies, do not participate directly in
the G-20, which has become a primary vehicle for
international consultation on the global financial and
economic crisis. Belgium is only represented indirectly in
the G-20 by the EU. The Belgians' concern is driven by their
perception that decisions are made between the U.S. and the
G-20 that directly affect their interests, without a Belgian
seat at the table. Belgian officials have raised their
concerns with me and with aides to Michael Froman of the
NEC/NSC. Leterme himself raised the issue with Senators
Shelby and Cornyn when they visited Brussels in August.


3. (SBU) In response to the Belgian concerns, we have
highlighted the opportunity for Belgium, given our long
history as allies, to provide leadership in other ways,
including considering the resettlement of additional
Guantanamo detainees and greater public/rhetorical support
for NATO/ISAF efforts in Afghanistan. Although the Belgians
will never have the manpower or the money of larger European
countries, Belgium could quickly step to the front of the
pack on issues that don't require such material resources.
The Belgians have shown at least academic interest in the
concept.

Guantanamo
--------------


4. (SBU) The Belgians have recently agreed to accept for
resettlement one Guantanamo detainee who is subject to a
release order. We are currently working with the Belgians to
finalize details of the transfer which should occur in the
near future. We are working to resolve Belgian concerns on
certain DoD procedures for conducting the transfer. We have
also raised the importance of Belgium accepting two other
detainees, Tunisian nationals, who have been convicted in
Belgian courts. The Belgian government has indicated its
openness to considering these cases through judicial rather
than political channels. My assessment is that if the
ongoing efforts are concluded without significant negative
public reaction, we will be in a position to pursue the
possibility of a significant additional
Belgian effort.

Afghanistan
--------------


5. (C) Belgium has provided substantial support for NATO/ISAF
efforts in Afghanistan, including providing two Operational
Mentoring and Liaison Teams in Kunduz, participating in a
German-led Provincial Reconstruction team, deploying six
F-16s to Kandahar, and providing security for Kabul's
international airport. In addition, Belgium has promised $12
million in development assistance to Afghanistan for each of
the next two years. The government has committed to
maintaining this level of effort through the end of Belgium's
prospective EU presidency in the latter half of 2010. We
believe that a greater civilian effort by Belgium is
possible. Leterme himself has acknowledged this possibility.


Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
-------------- --

6.(SBU) The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains
one of Belgium's top foreign policy concerns. During your
last meeting with previous Belgian FM De Gucht, you offered
to cooperate with Belgium in identifying ways to strengthen

BRUSSELS 00001293 002 OF 002


the DRC military to address the security crisis. With
DeGucht's departure and Leterme's arrival, the Foreign
Ministry is reviewing its approach (though not fundamental
policy) on the DRC, and will decide shortly whether to send a
team to Washington to seek further discussions on this topic
with the State Department and DoD. A Belgian ship seized by
pirates in the Indian Ocean and held off the coast of Somalia
was freed earlier this year following negotiations by the
ship's insurers and a reported ransom payment. The Belgian
military provides protective detachments for ships on a fee
basis, and Belgium will provide a ship to Atalanta, the EU
anti-piracy mission.

EU Presidency/Human Rights Council
--------------


7. (SBU) Belgium assumes the EU Presidency July 1, 2010 and
will becomend per Belgiale of Forti
to Q
210, and to consider providing more civilian ass)stance to
both Afghanistan and Pakistan. Udate on reported U.S.
Afghanistan policy reviQw.

-- We are grateful for Belgium's decisiontant for
Belgium to also accept two Tunisian nationals in Guantanamo
who have been convicted in Belgium. We believe therQ is
scope for Belgium to show leadership on tQe resettlement of
detainees in ways the United States would deeply appreciate.

-- We look frward to continued close cooperation with
Belgium to promote our shared interests via the Human Rights
Council.

-- Congratulate Belgium on its prospective EU Presidency, and
ask about Belgium's priorities for its presidency.

-- Brief on your recent visit to Africa and welcome expanding
our dialogue with Belgium on Africa. Appreciate continued
close consultation of our envoys concerning security, human
rights and conflict resolution in the Great Lakes region of
Central Africa. Acknowledge Belgium's commitment to
combating piracy.

BUSH
.