BELGIUM:FM VANACKERE CRITICIZED FOR MEETING KABILA

UNCLAS BRUSSELS 000092

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE PASS EUR/WE AND AF/C

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV CG BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM:FM VANACKERE CRITICIZED FOR MEETING KABILA
BY FORMER FM DE GUCHT

REF: BRUSSELS 70


1. (SBU) All Belgian newspapers gave prominent coverage
January 25 to the criticism levied by former Belgian FM Karel
De Gucht on FM Steven Vanackere for meeting with Congolese
President Joseph Kabila last week. FM Vanackere met with
Kabila at his private estate in Lubumbashi, DRC on January 19
and was pictured holding a glass of beer with a smiling
Kabila. During a Sunday talk show January 24, De Gucht
sarcastically remarked, "I could not as a person drink a pint
with Kabila. There is evidently less murder and rape in the
eastern DRC, as I see how friendly Minister Vanackere raises
a glass with Kabila." FM Vanackere responded through the
traveling press prior to his return flight from Central
Africa that his assignment on behalf of the Belgian
government was to stabilize Belgian - Congolese relations and
secure new influence in the DRC, allowing Belgium to improve
the situation of the Congolese people. Vanackere then
pointedly alleged that De Gucht's more outspoken style as
foreign minister achieved few results during his tenure as
foreign minister.


2. (SBU) De Gucht, currently EU Trade Commissioner, was an
outspoken critic of the Kabila government during his tenure
as foreign minister (2004-2009). The Congo suspended
relations with Belgium from April to December 2008 after De
Gucht made stinging public comments on corruption in the
GoDRC. After De Gucht became Development Commissioner of the
EU, he continued his critical approach to the Congo. As a
result, De Gucht has been declared persona non grata in
Kinshasa. The designation has not phased De Gucht, who has
responded that Congolese officials are welcome to visit him
in Brussels any time.


3. (SBU) Comment: Congo policy is a highly political issue in
Belgium. The five-party Leterme II government and CD&V FM
Vanackere view an improved relationship with Kinshasa as
politically expedient prior to next years national elections
and the 50th anniversary of the independence of the DRC. The
Belgian public broadly supports engagement with the DRC (see
reftel). The Leterme II government has also made the
calculation that an improvement in the humanitarian and
political situation is easier done through cooperation with
the GoDRC and improved relations than through castigation.
Now that De Gucht sits on the EU Commission rather than in
the Belgian foreign ministry, he is simply continuing his
long established habit of speaking his opinion freely. His
comments will have no immediate effect on Belgian Central
Africa policy. However, De Gucht's outspokenness may create
a rift in his party, the Open VLD, which is a member of the
government coalition. As such, its members who remain in the
government must consider the effects of highly charged
rhetoric on Belgium's current Congo policy and on the
government's participation in the Congolese Independence
commemoration, including a possible visit by King Albert.

GUTMAN
.