AMBASSADOR GUTMAN'S NOVEMBER 13 MEETING WITH UNGA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BRUSSELS 001552

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/WE AND IO/UNP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/18/2019
TAGS: PREL KBIO UNGA BE
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR GUTMAN'S NOVEMBER 13 MEETING WITH UNGA
PRESIDENT CANDIDATE LOUIS MICHEL

REF: BRUSSELS 1498 (NOTAL)

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Classified By: Ambassador Howard Gutman, reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (U) The Ambassador met privately with Louis Michel, former
Foreign Minister of Belgium and European Commissioner for
Development, on November 13. Michel was accompanied by the
Chief of Staff to Foreign Minister Yves Leterme, Fransiskus
Van Daele.


2. (C) Michel and the Ambassador discussed the contentious
issue of Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde (BHV) (reftel) in Belgian
politics. Michel, a francophone politician who is a member
of the European-style liberal Mouvement Reformateur (MR)
party, told the Ambassador that his preferred solution to the
problem is to make into a province, thereby solving the
constitutional problem that its borders as an electoral
district do not coincide with provincial boundaries. Michel
believes that it is inevitable that the Belgian federal
government will have to cede more of its powers to the
regions than it already has in the course of any compromise
solution to Belgium's institutional problems. He said he
agreed only partially with the Ambassador's observation that
a stronger economy in Wallonia, bringing its economic
strength more in line with Flanders', might make finding a
solution to the conflict between the two regions easier.
Michel said that if Herman Van Rompuy becomes European
Council President, and Yves Leterme becomes Prime Minister in
his stead, it will exacerbate the difficulties in finding a
compromise solution to the institutional issues in Belgium.


3. (C) Michel took pains to present himself to the Ambassador
as a friend to Israel. He said that he had taken significant
criticism for a statement he made while visiting sites of
destruction in Gaza in January 2009. Michel reportedly said
that Hamas bore enormous responsibility for the destruction
and was acting in the way of a terrorist organization. At
the same time he termed the Israeli bombardment of Gaza an
abomination and its failure to protect civilians a breach of
international law. He called for both sides to be held
accountable.


4. (C) In 2008, Louis Michel and his son, Charles, who is the
Belgian Minister of Development Cooperation, openly and
strongly criticized then Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht for
alienating President Kabila of the Democratic Republic of
Congo, a former Belgian colony, by uncompromisingly speaking
of corruption and misgovernment. Michel has advocated that
Belgium reassert its expertise in the region, stengthen
dplomatic ties and increase development aid. He is thought
to harbor dreams of returning to the position of Foreign
Minister of Belgium. Some Belgian politicians have been
heard to say it will be better to have him in New York at
UNGA rather than Brussels.


5. (C) Biographic information: Louis Michel has enjoyed
successful careers in both politics and the private sector.
From 1968 to 1978 he worked as a teacher of English, Dutch
and German at the Provincial School of Jodoigne in Belgium.
His political career began in 1967 when he served as Chairman
of the Young Liberals in the Nivelles district of Belgium
(1967-1977). In 1977 Michel became an Alderman in Jodoigne
(1977-1983). In 1978 he became a member of the Belgian
Federal Parliament, serving first as a Representative
(1978-1999) and then as a Senator (1999-2004). In 1980 he
became the Secretary General of the Parti Reformateur Liberal
(PRL) (1980-1982). From 1982 to 1990 he served as Chairman
of the PRL and again from 1995 to 1999. In 1999 Michel became
the Belgian Foreign Minister and Vice Prime Minister of the
Kingdom of Belgium. He held these posts until July 2004 when
the then Verhofstadt government appointed him as a candidate
for the Belgian seat on the next (Barroso) European
Commission starting in November 2004. In September 2004,
Michel stepped in to complete the term of then Commissioner
Busquin, Commissioner for Science and Research. In November
2004 he assumed the responsibilities of European Commissioner
for Humanitarian Aid and Development under the Barroso
Commission. His term ended in 2009, the same year he was
elected to the European Parliament from Belgium. Throughout
his political career Michel has often held short-term and/or
temporary seats or offices. He has published numerous
articles and has been awarded more than 10 high honors and
recognition including the Minister of State conferred in

1995. This is an honorific title given to prominent Belgian
politicians. Louis Michel is married and has two children.
He is fluent in French, Dutch, German and English.

GUTMAN


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