Cablegate: Belgians to Name Non-Resident Charge For

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DE RUEHBS #3273 2711453
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P 281453Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3196
INFO RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 0057
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0011
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL

UNCLAS BRUSSELS 003273

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL BE IZ JO
SUBJECT: Belgians to Name Non-Resident Charge for
Baghdad

1. The Belgian government will shortly appoint a non-
resident Charge for Baghdad, according to Ambassador
Robert Devriese, the MFA's Acting Director-General for
Bilateral Relations. Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht
took the decision on September 27, Devriese told
polcouns and visiting EUR/UBI Office Director
Gallagher, adding that the appointment will soon come
into effect. Belgium's DCM in Amman, Jeroen Vergeylen,
will take up the post. Vergeylen currently deals with
Iraqi matters from his base in Amman.

2. There are no immediate plans for Vergeylen to travel
to Iraq, according to Christian Monnoyer, the MFA's
Director for Middle Eastern Affairs. Monnoyer noted
that security concerns are likely to keep the idea of
opening a mission in the Iraqi capital "off the table"
for a considerable period. In expressing pleasure at
this news, polcouns indicated the U.S. would continue
to press for accreditation of an Ambassador and the
opening of a mission in Iraq.
KOROLOGOS

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