Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BRUSSELS825
2009-06-16 13:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:  

BELGIAN MFA VIEWS ON CORFU CONFERENCE AND EUROPEAN

Tags:  PREL MARR OSCE BE 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0620
RR RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHBS #0825 1671309
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 161309Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9069
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 000825 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/WE AND EUR/RPM

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2019
TAGS: PREL MARR OSCE BE
SUBJECT: BELGIAN MFA VIEWS ON CORFU CONFERENCE AND EUROPEAN
SECURITY ARCHITECTURE

REF: STATE 59226

Classified By: Political Economic Counselor Richard Eason, reason 1.4(b
) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 000825

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/WE AND EUR/RPM

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2019
TAGS: PREL MARR OSCE BE
SUBJECT: BELGIAN MFA VIEWS ON CORFU CONFERENCE AND EUROPEAN
SECURITY ARCHITECTURE

REF: STATE 59226

Classified By: Political Economic Counselor Richard Eason, reason 1.4(b
) and (d).


1. On June 15, Poloff used reftel as an opportunity to
discuss the Corfu ministerial meeting and the future of
European security with Francois De Kerchove, acting Director
for Security Policy in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Belgium. Foreign Minister De Gucht will attend the
ministerial. De Kerchove began by saying that there is a
definite need to respond and talk to the GOR about its
proposals for European security. There is, however, also a
need for more specificity as to what the Russians want. Most
if not all of the principles of international law the
Russians insist upon are already enshrined in the UN and OSCE
founding documents, he said. The proper forum for the talks
is the OSCE, he said, or at least a group corresponding to
the the full membership of the OSCE. De Kerchove said that
while it is good to talk about ways to improve what the
Russians call "soft security" -- drugs, crime and other
transnational problems -- this term should not be used to
replace the human dimension that is a pillar of the OSCE. He
recognized that the GOR's general goal seems to be a decrease
in the transatlantic emphasis in Europe to increase Russian
influence on security policies. Belgium wants the discussion
with the Russians to be well-structured and sees the need for
coordination and debate not only in the OSCE but also in NATO
and the EU. These discussions should influence the pace,
content, objectives and forum of the security architecture
discussions. Belgium agrees that the existing institutions
are important to preserve, and also that it is important to
stick to the red lines established at the Helsinki meeting of
the OSCE Ministerial Council in December 2008.


2. De Kerchove shared a French government non-paper on the
Russian proposals for security in Europe. (Post can provide
this paper on request, if it is not already circulated to the
Department by the French.) He said that the Belgians find
most of the proposals in the non-paper unobjectionable.
However, he questioned the continuing utility of the Charter
of Paris, saying it contains a certain "logic of blocs" that
is now outmoded. The Belgians also disagree with the French
view that a new treaty is a viable outcome of the security
discussions. De Kerchove said that the fundamental problem
is a lack of confidence by the Russians that will not be
overcome by signing a treaty. They have two sore points, he
said: the shrinking of their area of influenceas their
former satellites join NATO and the E, and missile defense.
It will be necessary to reach a "political modus vivendi" on
thos issues, he said.


3. De Kerchove said that ussia should show willingness to
discuss resoving the frozen conflicts in Georgia and
elsewere, and also the impasse over the ConventionalForces
in Europe, although these should no be made preconditions.
The link between CFE nd the Security Architecture is the
most senstive question, De Kerchove said. Two years after
the Russian suspension, CFE is all but dead, and it needs to
be revitalized. He said tat this may require putting aside
the Istanbul commitments in order to get a CFE dialogue
going. At the same time, he said it is necessary to support
Georgia and its territorial integrity.


4. Comment: Based on this conversation, it appears that
Belgium is generally in accord with U.S. views of the
direction the talks on European Security should proceed. De
Kerchove said the Belgians would like to avoid a
philosophical debate in Corfu and focus on concrete topics.
However, he seemed skeptical that the ministers at Corfu
would be able to do so.

BUSH
.