BELGIUM: CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

S E C R E T BRUSSELS 000454

NOFORN
SIPDIS

S/CT FOR SHARRI R. CLARK

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2019
TAGS: PTER PGOV ASEC EFIN ENRG KCIP BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM: CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

REF: STATE 15113

Classified By: POLITICAL/ECONOMIC COUNSELOR RICHARD EASON, REASON: 1.4
(B) (D) (E) (G)


1. (S/NF) Post concurs with the items on Belgium's 2008
Critical Infrastructure/Key Resources list.


2. (S/NF) Port of Antwerp: The Port of Antwerp, despite
the global economic downturn, remains a critical transit
point for shipping to and from the United States, including
at times U.S. military assets. The Port of Antwerp will
continue to be a key part of the global supply chain and
should remain on the list. Post's economic officer has met
with the security authorities of the Port of Antwerp, who are
constantly monitoring the port facilities for threats. Post
has no reason to believe that the Port of Antwerp would be an
active target of terrorists or especially vulnerable to
natural circumstances.


3. (S/NF) Pharmaceutical Suppliers: Both Baxter and Glaxo
Smith Kline continue to manufacture the products listed on
last year's report, according to publicly-available
information on the companies' websites. Assuming the
products in question remain critical, they should remain on
the list.


4. (S/NF) Germanium Mine: Post has been unable to confirm
via publicly available sources the location of specific
Belgian companies involved in germanium mining.

BUSH

.