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OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBS #2675 2151225
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 031225Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2743
INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0144
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 0258
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEPGBA/CDR USEUCOM INTEL VAIHINGEN GE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 002675 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/02/2016 
TAGS: PREL BE
SUBJECT: TFLE01: BELGIANS CONSIDER INVOLVEMENT IN MIDDLE 
EAST 
 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Will Imbrie. Reasons 1.4 (b and d). 
 
¶1. (U) Summary. Since the Qana raid, FM De Gucht called for 
an immediate cease-fire and offered Belgian military 
involvement in a stabilization force.  On August 2, Charge 
clarified Belgian thinking and reviewed US ideas on the 
crisis. The Belgians think a UN PKO as the best option. On 
operations, press reports Belgium continues to attempt to fly 
humanitarian supplies into Beirut, but were turned away by 
Israel. End Summary. 
 
¶2. (U) In a July 31 interview by VRT, De Gucht said he was 
horrified by the civilian casualties resulting form the 
Israeli air raid. He continued, saying that excuses and 
expressions of sorrow are not enough, a cease-fire must come 
first and the political contours should be discussed later. 
 
¶3. (U) In the August 1 GAERC meeting De Gucht reaffirmed 
Belgium's willingness to commit troops to a stabilization 
force, adding that the final decision would be made by 
Belgium's Council of Ministers, according to press. He also 
said that EU countries not willing to participate in a 
peacekeeping force should not be involved in the political 
discussions.  De Gucht supported the EU resolution calling 
for a cessation of the hostilities without the precondition 
of release of the kidnapped Israeli soldiers. De Gucht 
elaborated to the press, claiming a cessation in hostilities 
required more immediate action whereas a cease-fire hinged on 
global political agreements.  He believes that a cessation of 
hostilities would lead to a cease-fire and further 
negotiations. Belgium condemns the humanitarian violations, 
but in an even-handed fashion. 
 
¶4. (C) Charge met August 2 with FM De Gucht's acting chief of 
staff, Jean-Luc Bodson, who is also responsible for NEA. 
Belgium was pleased with the agreement of all 25 in the GAERC 
yesterday. The Belgians worked successfully to find a 
formulation which would not be too far from that of the US, 
and which they thought might allow a convergence of the 
US/Israeli and the EU positions. They wanted an European role 
(i.e. a multilateral EU role) in the conflict, thus 
preferring the GAERC to the Rome mechanism which only 
involved a select group. They want an agreed EU position 
first so the Europeans can speak with one voice, and want the 
EU members of the UNSC to have a common position in NY. 
 
¶5. (C) Bodson noted that Belgium believes peacekeepers must 
be under UNSC auspices because NATO members would be 
identified with one side or another. They believe 
UN-authorized peacekeeping force is the best option. Belgium 
has not made a commitment on how to participate in a 
stabilization force; participation will depend on structure, 
mandate, etc. 
 
¶6. (U) FM De Gucht addressed the Parliament Foreign Affairs 
Committee and has gained endorsement for troop commitment 
from the Socialist majority parties (which include Defense 
Minister Flahaut) and the Christian Democratic opposition. 
Parliament appears in agreement with the GAERC statement 
calling for cessation of hostilities, cease-fire, and 
introduction of a stabilization force in that order. A formal 
resolution on Belgium's military support is pending. 
 
¶7. (U) Two Belgian Air Force C-130s delivering food and 
medical supplies were denied access to the Beirut airport on 
August 1 by the Israeli government citing security reasons 
for the denial. MoD Flahaut pledged to continue to work on 
the authorization in the coming days. 
 
¶8. (C) Late news. In response to NATO D/S46's request for 
NATO member (not alliance) C-130 assistance to transport OCHA 
supplies to Beirut, Belgian authorities have renewed contacts 
with Israeli authorities for approval to deliver supplies to 
BIA. One of the two humanitarian C-130 flights has already 
been approved. The flight, with MoD Flahaut on board, has 
landed and is offloading medical supplies from Societe 
Medicale Euro-Lebanese. The Belgians expect the second flight 
will be approved in a few days. 
 
IMBRIE 
.