DEMARCHE RESPONSE: BELGIAN OFFERS EUROPEAN VIEW ON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BRUSSELS 000238

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE PASS EUR/WE, IO/UNP, DRL/AEE AND L/HRR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL UNHRC BE
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE RESPONSE: BELGIAN OFFERS EUROPEAN VIEW ON
DURBAN REVIEW CONFERENCE WORKING GROUP SESSION

REF: SECSTATE 14201


1. (SBU) Summary: Belgian MFA human rights expert Nathalie
Rondeux called Poloff February 19 from Geneva to provide the
European view, with Belgian nuance, on the Durban Review
Conference Working Group. Rondeux said the Durban process
was very important to Europe; Europeans are excited the U.S.
is participating. She said having partners at the conference
like the U.S., Australia and Switzerland is better than
Europe alone against the world. Europe wants a successful
conference, as long as certain red-lines are not crossed.
The key concerns Europeans have parallel U.S. concerns
provided in reftel, particularly attempts to use defamation
of religion arguments to limit freedom of expression and a
several issues pertaining to the Middle East (Israel bashing,
Holocaust denial, or backward movement on anti-Semitism).
Outcomes Europe will attempt to achieve are clear references
to fighting anti-Semitism, the denying the Holocaust, and
censuring sexual orientation. The Europeans also support
discussing the link between racism and conflict. The
Europeans also think education and democracy should be
mentioned as positive forces in ending racism. Basically,
Europe will oppose the discussion of new issues and focus on
implementation of what was agreed to in Durban. Europe and
Belgium will work hard to obtain a positive outcome, and walk
out if this is not possible. End Summary.


2. Belgian MFA human rights expert Nathalie Rondeux provided
an informative response to reftel demarche February 19 when
she called Poloff from Geneva. She made clear she was
speaking for the European Union, with Belgian nuances.
Belgium, she said, was playing an organizing role as the
burden sharer for the preparation of a unified position
within the EU. She heads the Belgian team preparing the
draft paper for internal EU debate. She added that Belgium
had the most expertise on this issue, having held the EU
presidency in 2001 during the Durban conference.
Furthermore, Belgium was a member of the preparation
conference for the Geneva Review Conference, and remained at
the table in Durban after U.S. departure in 2001 to attempt
to achieve a desirable outcome.

Basic European Position and Concerns
--------------


3. (SBU) The EU views the conference as a review exercise to
implement agreements based on the document agreed to in
Durban in 2001. Rondeux said that Belgium fully agrees the
process will be difficult and understands U.S. concerns. The
main concerns the EU and Belgian delegations will be watching
for are Middle East issues and moves to limit freedom of
expression through defamation of religion arguments. Rondeux
promised that Belgium would stay and fight as hard as
possible. The European position is that remaining engaged is
important. Leaving is a serious option, but only for the
right reason and at the right moment.


4. (SBU) Europeans agree with the U.S. on past reparations.
Finding a compromise in 2001 was challenging. Rondeux
mentioned a paragraph accepted in 2001 on addressing the
colonial past. As part of its implementation, Belgium
received a visit by Durban parties who looked the treatment
of people of African descent in Belgium. Belgium will also
mention a recent exposition it held on its colonial past.
The European delegation will not accept claims that nothing
has been done since Durban.


5. (SBU) The Middle East is an area where several challenges
could arise. The Middle East was mentioned in Durban, so the
EU would consider discussing the region. However,
inflammatory language should be avoided. Particular concerns
are anti-Israel statements, Holocaust denial, or a push to
weaken the fight against anti-Semitism. The crisis in the
Middle East should not be a focus of discussion. She asked
rhetorically, why not bring up Sudan or any number of other
regions?

European Goals
--------------


6. (SBU) Agenda items Europe will push for at the conference
include a clear reference to the fight against anti-Semitism
and an agreement that discussion of the Holocaust should not
be diminished. Europe will also push for the mention of
sexual orientation in the text, which Rondeux admitted would
be tough. She said it was also important to bring up racism
as a source of conflict linked to genocide and ethnic
cleansing, and the related responsibility of states to

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protect populations from war crimes and crimes against
humanity. Europe will also raise the importance of education
and democracy in combating racism.

BUSH
.