VISIT OF BELGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER CHARLES NOTHOMB

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84B00049R001403560022-4
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: January 4, 2017
• Document Release Date: April 16, 2008
• Sequence Number: 22
• Publication Date: September 24, 1981
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/04/17: CIA-RDP84B00049ROO1403560022-4
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OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OrEFENSE
f FILE ""F I I.E
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20301 ('/
SECRETARY CF DEFENSE
2 d SEP 1981 r
INTERNATIONAL
SECURITY POLICY
In Reply Refer to:
I-2427,3/81
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: Visit of Belgian Foreign Minister, Charles Nothomb (U)
Time and Place: 0830, Monday, 21 September, Rm 3E924
Present were: SecDef, Mr. Perle, Mr. Rixse, MG Bowman and MG Smith,
Notetaker Cassidy; Minister Nothomb, Ambassador Schoumaker, Chef de
Cabinet Cassiers, and Political Counselor Champenois.
(L) After an exchange of pleasantries, SecDef described the present
US budget review process, stressing that the reduction in the rate
of increased defense spending would not make a major difference.
Our major modernization programs will go ahead and our NATO commit-
ments would not change under the Administration's proposals. The
Soviet threat continues to grow and we intend to provide soon a
detailed paper for use with NATO publics.
(C) Nothomb responded that Belgium appreciated the American defense
effort. The Belgian. commitment to NATO is clear; there is no neutralism
or pacificism at the political level. Present budgetary difficulties
are serious, but Belgium made significant improvements to its and thus
NATO's capabilities in the 70's and will do so again. From this posi-
tion of responsible participation in NATO, Belgium is thus able to
speak in favor of arms control negotiations as well as the need to
improve defense.
(C) LRTNF - Nothomb stated that a great majority of the Belgian
government and parliament support the position he and MOD Swaelen
developed in September 1980: Support of arms control negotiations
while at the same time taking necessary steps to implement the Belgian
part of the Alliance decision. If in 1983 Belgium needs to deploy
GLCM, tiie necessary steps will have been taken.
(S) Nothomb noted the beginning of US-Soviet negotiations would
be a good time to announce GLCM site selection; however the area's
people first needed to be persuaded that deployment would be safe.
The site area, Charleroi, is in bad economic shape with a failing steel
industry. The Belgian government thus needs to have more of an indus-
trial component in its TNF package to help offset the strong Socialist
party opposition in that area. Therefore, Nothomb asked, that the US
consider putting maintenance for F-15/F-16 engines in Belgium and
supporting a hi hnology oriented linkup of ACEC with General
Dynamics.
OSD review
completed
Classified by: Dir, EUR&NATO Policy
Declassify by: 23 September 1987
DOE review completed.
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L .XI- 1 ?
(S) SecDef noted that he had already passed construction and payroll
benefit figures to MOD Swaelen to illustrate the economic benefits
that would accompany GLCM basing. SecDef expressed reluctance to link
TNF strengthening to other economic advantages. This was not to say
there will not be greater cooperation on its own merit; the US would
continue to pursue a more balanced two-way street in armaments Lrade.
The economic benefits that stem from basing already were sizeable; $1.4
billion over time (including multiplier effect). Mr. Perle noted that
US technical teams could visit Belgian industry to look for additional
opportunities for cooperation in armaments -- especially in the Charleroi
area. SecDef closed by restressing the importance of GLCM basing and
that the economic benefits for Bium would be significant.
r RI CHARD C. -BOWMAN
MajGen, USAF
Acting DASD
ISP
Prepared by: PJ Cassidy, OASD/ISP/E&NP
gal/23Septl981
c i I' n y a
Approved For Release 2008/04/17: CIA-RDP84B00049R001403560022-4