New Belgian Foreign Minister Likely to Be More Pro-arab Than Predecessor

Belgium’s new foreign minister, Willy Claes, is likely to be more pro-Arab than his predecessor, Mark Eyskens, according to informed sources.

Claes’ views are said to be influenced by his long association with Algeria, which is considered the most radical of the former French North African states.

Claes was vice prime minister and minister of economic affairs in the government of Wilfried Martens, who was prime minister for 12 years.

Martens’ regime has been replaced by a center-left coalition headed by Christian Democrat Jean-Luc Dehaene.

The new foreign minister, who belongs to the conservative wing of the Flemish Socialist Party, is expected to make some changes in Middle East policy, though not fundamental ones. He visited Israel only once, a long time ago.

Another Belgian official said to have Arab connections is Robert Urbain, minister of foreign trade in the former government who retains that portfolio in the new regime and has also been put in charge of European affairs.

Urbain is particularly friendly with Libya, a country he has visited several times and with which he has signed trade pacts. Eyskens, who is said to be sympathetic to Israel, suffered political damage last year when it was revealed that an official of archterrorist Abu Nidal’s group entered Belgium with the Foreign Ministry’s approval.

Eyskens maintained he was not aware of the terrorist’s presence on Belgian soil.

Belgium’s new coalition government of Socialists and Christian Democrats was formed after more than 100 days of political crisis.

The parliamentary elections held last November were a setback for the traditional parties. The electorate sent them a protest message by casting an unusually large vote for environmentalists and the extreme right wing.