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Belgium Starts International Propaganda Initiative
02/01/2008 :: Karel De Gucht, the Belgian minister of Foreign Affairs, has ordered all Belgium’s ambassadors abroad to “take initiatives to promote a positive image of Belgium abroad.”
In a confidential memo to the ambassadors Mr. De Gucht writes that they are to counter the negative image caused by the political crisis in Belgium. The ambassadors are to assure their foreign contacts that it is not unusual for Belgian politicians to take a very long time to put together a government coalition. However, the 193 days which elapsed between last year’s general elections on 10 June and the formation of an “interim government” on 21 December constitute a record, even for Belgium. Worse, the real government, which reflects the voters’ verdict, has not even been formed.
Mr. De Gucht has ordered the ambassadors to take “informal” and “discrete” initiatives, which are to “result in positive radio and television broadcasts or newspaper articles”.
The ambassadors should avoid press conferences and other “spectacular initiatives” because these might have “the opposite effect.” Indeed, one never knows what questions journalists might be inclined to ask.
The ambassadors are to emphasize that the political crisis in Belgium is not going to affect the country’s international obligations and economic stability.
Article in issue nº 21
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