Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BRUSSELS889
2009-06-26 15:36:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:
BELGIUM SIGNS ON TO EU COUNCIL STATEMENT ON AFGHAN
how-toVZCZCXRO0115 RR RUEHDBU RUEHPW RUEHSL DE RUEHBS #0889 1771536 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 261536Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9127 INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS BRUSSELS 000889
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/WE AND NEA/A
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV AF BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM SIGNS ON TO EU COUNCIL STATEMENT ON AFGHAN
ELECTIONS, NO INDIVIDUAL STATEMENT FORTHCOMING
REF: STATE 63551
UNCLAS BRUSSELS 000889
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/WE AND NEA/A
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV AF BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM SIGNS ON TO EU COUNCIL STATEMENT ON AFGHAN
ELECTIONS, NO INDIVIDUAL STATEMENT FORTHCOMING
REF: STATE 63551
1. Post delivered reftel demarche on June 22. On June 24,
we were informed by the Afghan desk of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs that Belgium does not intend to make an
individual declaration on the elections at the present time.
The MFA referred to the common statement released by the
European Union following the European Council meetings on
June 19. The MFA welcomes President Obama's statement, finds
it appropriate and approves of it. It shares the view the
credible elections are what Afghanistan needs most today.
2. As quoted by the MFA, the EU statement says:
Begin text: Recognizing the challenging environment in which
the first Afghan-led election process will take place, the EU
attaches the greatest importance to the holding of credible,
inclusive and secure presidential and provincial elections in
Afghanistan in line with international standards, which would
strengthen the support of the Afghan people for their
institutions. It is particularly important that the state
exercise its authority with impartiality and integrity to
ensure that no candidate is unfairly disadvantaged.
Political legitimacy is at the heart of further progress in
Afghanistan. Afghan politicians have an important role to
play by reaching out to the voters and encouraging Afghans to
exercise their right to choose their own leaders by
participating in the August elections. The EU also calls on
candidates to use the campaigning period to present policy
manifestos, which inform and engage the population in the
political process. As part of international efforts, the EU
remains committed to supporting the elections and will deploy
a team of international observers to Afghanistan. End text.
BUSH
.
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/WE AND NEA/A
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV AF BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM SIGNS ON TO EU COUNCIL STATEMENT ON AFGHAN
ELECTIONS, NO INDIVIDUAL STATEMENT FORTHCOMING
REF: STATE 63551
1. Post delivered reftel demarche on June 22. On June 24,
we were informed by the Afghan desk of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs that Belgium does not intend to make an
individual declaration on the elections at the present time.
The MFA referred to the common statement released by the
European Union following the European Council meetings on
June 19. The MFA welcomes President Obama's statement, finds
it appropriate and approves of it. It shares the view the
credible elections are what Afghanistan needs most today.
2. As quoted by the MFA, the EU statement says:
Begin text: Recognizing the challenging environment in which
the first Afghan-led election process will take place, the EU
attaches the greatest importance to the holding of credible,
inclusive and secure presidential and provincial elections in
Afghanistan in line with international standards, which would
strengthen the support of the Afghan people for their
institutions. It is particularly important that the state
exercise its authority with impartiality and integrity to
ensure that no candidate is unfairly disadvantaged.
Political legitimacy is at the heart of further progress in
Afghanistan. Afghan politicians have an important role to
play by reaching out to the voters and encouraging Afghans to
exercise their right to choose their own leaders by
participating in the August elections. The EU also calls on
candidates to use the campaigning period to present policy
manifestos, which inform and engage the population in the
political process. As part of international efforts, the EU
remains committed to supporting the elections and will deploy
a team of international observers to Afghanistan. End text.
BUSH
.