Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BRUSSELS398
2009-03-20 06:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:
BELGIUM SUPPORTS ONLY A BALANCED DRAWDOWN OF KFOR
how-toVZCZCXRO5131 RR RUEHSR DE RUEHBS #0398 0790625 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 200625Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8735 INFO RUEHXP/ALL NATO POST COLLECTIVE RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE 0009 RUEHPS/AMEMBASSY PRISTINA 0010 RUEHVJ/AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO 0043 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 000398
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/WE, EUR/RPM AND EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/20/2019
TAGS: PREL MARR NATO KPKO KV BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM SUPPORTS ONLY A BALANCED DRAWDOWN OF KFOR
IN KOSOVO
REF: STATE 26179
Classified By: Political Counselor Richard Eason, reason 1.4(b) and (d)
.
Poloff delivered reftel demarche regarding early exits from
the KFOR Kosovo mission to Pol De Witte, Director of Security
Policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 19. De
Witte said that Belgium will stay in Kosovo as long as its
troops are needed and will only reduce its forces
proportionately as other KFOR allies reduce their forces. He
was aware of the desire to reduce forces, even unilaterally,
in some other allied capitals, as referred to in paragraph 2
of reftel. However, De Witte said, Belgium believes the
operation in Kosovo is important. Its troops are stationed
in a "difficult area", Mitrovica, in the North of Kosovo.
The relatively large Serb population and the activity of
agencies controlled from Belgrade make the area a sensitive
one, he said. Belgium has about 40 police and 3 or 4 judges
participating in EULEX and is concerned for their security,
which is another reason for their continued willingness to
support KFOR. Belgium also recognizes the need to train and
build up the Kosovo Security Force to provide security, a
task which De Witte said is just beginning.
.
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/WE, EUR/RPM AND EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/20/2019
TAGS: PREL MARR NATO KPKO KV BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM SUPPORTS ONLY A BALANCED DRAWDOWN OF KFOR
IN KOSOVO
REF: STATE 26179
Classified By: Political Counselor Richard Eason, reason 1.4(b) and (d)
.
Poloff delivered reftel demarche regarding early exits from
the KFOR Kosovo mission to Pol De Witte, Director of Security
Policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 19. De
Witte said that Belgium will stay in Kosovo as long as its
troops are needed and will only reduce its forces
proportionately as other KFOR allies reduce their forces. He
was aware of the desire to reduce forces, even unilaterally,
in some other allied capitals, as referred to in paragraph 2
of reftel. However, De Witte said, Belgium believes the
operation in Kosovo is important. Its troops are stationed
in a "difficult area", Mitrovica, in the North of Kosovo.
The relatively large Serb population and the activity of
agencies controlled from Belgrade make the area a sensitive
one, he said. Belgium has about 40 police and 3 or 4 judges
participating in EULEX and is concerned for their security,
which is another reason for their continued willingness to
support KFOR. Belgium also recognizes the need to train and
build up the Kosovo Security Force to provide security, a
task which De Witte said is just beginning.
.