Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10BRUSSELS51
2010-01-19 10:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:
BELGIUM: GOB AWARE OF THREAT OF KIDNAPPING IN
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UNCLAS BRUSSELS 000051
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/W
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PREL ASEC XI XG
SUBJECT: BELGIUM: GOB AWARE OF THREAT OF KIDNAPPING IN
MAGREB
REF: STATE 00769
(SBU) Poloff delivered reftel points to Caroline Vliegen,
Attach for West Africa at the Belgian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, on January 15. Vliegen said that the GOB
"absolutely" shares U.S. concerns about security in the Sahel
region regarding kidnappings of Western Citizens. She said
that Belgium's Embassy in Ouagadougou and its Offices of
Development Cooperation based in Niamey and Bamako are
monitoring the situation carefully. These delegations are
tasked with keeping in regular contact with Belgian nationals
on the ground. Vliegen also confirmed that the GOB has a "no
concessions" policy towards terrorists or hostage takers.
She said that Belgium's new anti-piracy law could be used to
press charges on kidnappers. This law was adopted on January
14 and allows extraterritorial prosecution of pirates in
Belgian courts.
GUTMAN
.