Letters to the Editor

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

The New York Sun
NY Sun
NEW YORK SUN CONTRIBUTOR

“Goodbye, Belgium”

Re: “Goodbye, Belgium” (editorial, September 11). Having served for five years as U.S. ambassador to Belgium, I can assure your readers that the Belgium of my experience is totally different from yours. If a democratic government represents all the people, Belgium’s coalitions are more democratic than the current government of our own country. That Belgium has not yet formed its new government following the June 10 elections is its way of guaranteeing that all the people are represented. When it comes to government bureaucracy, Belgium’s is dwarfed by the bureaucracy in the United States.

Seventeen hundred U.S.companies find Belgium to be the country of their choice for both manufacturing and operations in Europe. On Memorial Day when we are cooking hamburgers and frankfurters, tens of thousands of Belgians are attending services in our three cemeteries in Belgium. One ceremony dates back to World War I, and, in the town of Ypres, every evening of the year taps is played while our flag is lowered.

When you state that the Social and Christian Democrats collaborated with the Nazis in World War II, you insult the thousands of them who were serving the government in exile in London and who were fighting and dying in the Resistance in Belgium. Where there are cultural differences between the French- and Flemish-speakers, they have always been dealt with peacefully. Noone has ever been killed. During my term representing our country, Belgium became the model for the solution in Bosnia. It was Belgium, when our Congress would not fund peace efforts in Croatia, which made the peace. Finally, Belgium is the home of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union because, as an open and democratic society, it is the obvious place from which to build a stronger, more prosperous Europe, a Europe which is America’s best friend.

Alan Blinken
Former U.S. Ambassador to Belgium and Chairman of the Washington Center
New York, N.Y.


Please address letters intended for publication to the Editor of The New York Sun. Letters may be sent by e-mail to editor@nysun.com, by facsimile to 212-608-7348, or post to 105 Chambers Street, New York City 10007. Please include a return address and daytime telephone number. Letters may be edited.

NY Sun
NEW YORK SUN CONTRIBUTOR

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.


The New York Sun

© 2025 The New York Sun Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The material on this site is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used.

The New York Sun

Sign in or  Create a free account

or
By continuing you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use