SCENE-SETTER FOR A/S CARTER'S MEETING WITH BELGIAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BRUSSELS 000588 SIPDIS SENSITIVE FOR ACTING AF ASSISTANT SECRETARY CARTER FROM CHARGE. E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV MASS CG SO SU CD RW BY BN SUBJECT: SCENE-SETTER FOR A/S CARTER'S MEETING WITH BELGIAN MFA AFRICA TEAM Summary: -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Since your last visit to Brussels, dialogue between the U.S. and Belgium on Africa has continued. Belgian interest is currently focused on the plight of the Belgian ship taken over by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean April 17, and a Belgian doctor kidnapped in Somalia at the same time. Meanwhile, the Belgians are waiting for the new U.S. administration to be more fully formed before sending a team to Washington to discuss strengthening security in the DRC, following up on the March 6 discussion between the Secretary and Foreign Minister De Gucht. Washington AFRICOM Deputy Commander Mary Yates visited Brussels in March, and met with Belgian military officials, the Foreign Ministry, Members of Parliament, African Defense Attaches, and NGOs. Subsequently, a high level Belgian military delegation traveled to Stuttgart to share lessons learned in the DRC with AFRICOM counterparts. The Belgians have agreed to our request to co-host with us a meeting in Brussels of partners on Security Sector Reform in the DRC on May 12. Your meeting with Belgium's MFA Africa hands will advance the dialogue between the U.S. and Belgium on shared priorities in Africa. African countries remain the primary beneficiaries of Belgian development assistance, and the DRC a focal point of Belgian foreign policy. Suggested talking points are provided at paragraph 10. End Summary. Recent Political Background -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Africa, and especially the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to be a priority for the Belgian government and FM De Gucht personally. The rift in Belgium's relations with the DRC that followed FM De Gucht's public criticism of DRC President Kabila in 2008 has been partly repaired. A new, highly regarded Ambassador (former Belgian Ambassador to the U.S. Dominique Struye) is now in place in Kinshasa. Belgium's consulates in Lubumbashi and Bukavu remain shuttered, although the DRC has approved reopening Lubumbashi, and the Belgian MFA is planning to do so this summer. Belgium remains very cautious about leadership roles in Africa peacekeeping missions, a result of the death of its soldiers in Rwanda in 1994. De Gucht failed in a concerted effort late last year to persuade fellow EU nations to provide a "bridging force" to support MONUC in Eastern Congo. While Belgians have extensive personal, family and economic ties to the DRC, Belgian business interests there have waned in recent years as the Chinese role has expanded. Belgian political interest in the DRC today centers to a significant degree on conflict resolution, human rights and humanitarian concerns. Somali Piracy -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The Belgians' attention will be on Somalia, because of the April 19 hijacking of a Belgian vessel by Somali pirates in a long range attack near the Seychelles. A Belgian doctor was kidnapped in Somalia at the same time, apparently by an unrelated group, and has not been released. The Belgian ship is reported to be en route to the Somali coast. Earlier this year, Belgium announced its intent to send one of its two frigates to participate in EU anti-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean. The frigate is expected to arrive by October for three months. Democratic Republic of the Congo -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Belgium remains focused on the humanitarian situation in the eastern DRC. Belgian officials are skeptical about recent and ongoing military cooperation between the DRC, Uganda and Rwanda against rebel groups in the eastern DRC. They would like to see comprehensive rapprochement between Kinshasa and Kigali, but are skeptical of the wisdom of the DRC inviting troops from other countries into its territory in light of the potential for violence to spiral. Nevertheless, the Belgians are realistic about the limited impact of their efforts to improve the ability of the DRC military to provide security throughout the country. FM De BRUSSELS 00000588 002 OF 003 Gucht told the Secretary March 6 that in his view strengthening the DRC military is fundamental to long term stability, and agreed to send a team to Washington to consult with U.S. counterparts on possible efforts to strengthen the DRC military. The Belgians have indicated a desire to send this team after our administration's senior Africa officials are in place. ¶5. (SBU) Belgium is actively engaged in Security Sector Reform (SSR) in the DRC, and coordinates with the U.S. and other donors in the region on this topic. The MFA will co-host with State a May 12 meeting in Brussels for European and American SSR experts. The Belgian military provides a handful of advisors to the DRC Ministry of Defense, as well as a team leader and eight observers to MONUC. Belgium is disappointed with the limited impact of its effort to train a battalion of Rapid Reaction Forces at Kananga, but the Ministry of Defense plans regular follow up training. Sudan/Chad/Benin -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Belgium has contributed a multifunctional military detachment to the EUFOR operation to protect Sudanese refugees in Chad since February 2008. A Field Accommodation Unit is responsible for construction and maintenance of camps at Abeche and N'djamena. A special task force performs reconnaissance and surveillance for EUFOR troops. Other troops provide logistical support to the Belgian force. Five unarmed Belgian military observers have participated in the UN Mission in Sudan since its establishment in 2005. ¶7. (SBU) From January to April 2009, Belgium has deployed 75 troops in Benin who are constructing a shooting range and training facilities for peacekeepers. The Belgians have planned for regular follow up training. Two Belgian liaison officers support Benin's troops engaged in peacekeeping in Cote d'Ivoire with ONUCI. Coordination with AFRICOM -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Cooperation between the Belgian MOD and the U.S. Africa Command is growing. Top Belgian Army officers have met with AFRICOM leadership on two occasions since March, including a visit by Deputy AFRICOM commander Yates to Brussels and a visit to AFRICOM headquarters by a Belgian military delegation to share lessons learned in west Africa. AFRICOM officers have said they find the Belgians knowledgeable on Africa issues, with a high level of engagement at the senior ranks. As AFRICOM gears up to train a Congolese battalion, the Belgians have shared their insights into the opportunities and challenges inherent in training forces in the DRC. Belgium has expressed willingness to participate in the Africa Partnership Station (APS),first by providing Belgian trainers to accompany the mission, and later possibly by providing a ship to carry U.S. and other allied personnel on APS missions. The Belgians have also offered to provide a liaison officer for the U.S. Operation Shared Accord in Benin. The Belgian Defense Ministry is interested in providing a full-time liaison officer to AFRICOM's Stuttgart headquarters when AFRICOM is in a position to accept such officers. Civilian Development Assistance -------------- ¶9. (SBU) In 2007, Belgium world development assistance totaled 1.4 billion euros, or 0.43% of its GDP. This figure was down from 0.5% in 2006. In 2007, the DRC was the largest recipient of Belgian aid at 153 million euros. Other large recipients were Cameroon, Rwanda and Burundi. Direct development aid administered by Belgian employees of Belgian Technical Assistance is limited to 18 "partner countries," of which 13 are in Africa. Other countries receive Belgian money via the UN or other international organizations and NGOs. The Embassy has worked to increase cooperation and coordination with Belgium on assistance to Africa. We are also focused on trying to get Belgium to increase assistance to Afghanistan, a key U.S. priority. BRUSSELS 00000588 003 OF 003 ¶10. (SBU) Key oints to make in your meeting with Belgian oficials: -- We appreciate and share your cncern for the safety of the Belgian citizens eing held by pirates and captive in Somalia. -- We will be ready to receive a Belgian delegation to discuss ways to strengthen security in the DRC, following up on the conversation between the Secretary and FM De Gucht, when you are ready to send one. We understand your interest in waiting for our new leadership to be in place. -- We appreciate your willingness to co-host the May 12 multilateral expert meeting on DRC Security Sector Reform, and we look forward to a productive discussion. -- We greatly appreciate Belgium's openness to AFRICOM and willingness to share experiences and lessons learned. We look forward to partnership with Belgium on Africa Partnership Station and other exercises. -- We are eager to work with you to improve cooperation and coordination on delivery of aid to African countries. We also greatly appreciate the new resources you are providing for assistance to Afghanistan. In this difficult economic environment, it is more important than ever to ensure that resources remain available for the least advantaged countries. BUSH .