MR chairman Georges-Louis Bouchez expressed his dissatisfaction on Twitter about the fuss about the trip that foreign minister Hadja Lahbib (MR) made when she was still an RTBF journalist. “This absurd and low-level bashing must stop,” he wrote on Twitter.
Yorick Dupon
29-07-22, 19:38
Latest update:
29-07-22, 23:40
Source:
Twitter, Belgium
Lahbib has been under fire for several days for a trip she made as a journalist to the Crimean peninsula while it was occupied by the Russian army. Not only does it cause a fuss in Belgium, it also creates noise on the diplomatic line with Ukraine.
Check out what the fuss about Lahbib is all about below:
On Twitter, her party chairman says it must stop. “It disturbs the petit monde that an extraordinary woman like Hadja Lahbib can display such skill and knowledge and above all enjoy a life experience that they do not have,” Bouchez writes.
He also counters criticism expressed by former foreign ministers Karel De Gucht (Open Vld) and Willy Claes (Vooruit) in ‘Het Nieuwsblad’. “This damages the image of our country,” the liberal noted. “Such an incident at a time when good relations with Ukraine are very important: that is synonymous with serious loss of credit,” said the socialist.
Bouchez does not allow himself to be lectured by Claes. He refers to his resignation as Secretary General of NATO in 1995, after great pressure over allegations in the Agusta corruption scandal. “That is beyond the bounds of decency. When he was forced to resign, what was Belgium’s image then?”
“And what about the great Karel De Gucht, who made so many diplomatic mistakes? What right do these gentlemen have to judge the conduct of a minister who has had an impeccable record since taking office?” Bouchez tweeted.
Documents
Peter De Roover, the party leader of the N-VA in the Chamber, has asked the CEO of RTBF Jean-Paul Philippot to pass on documents and internal exchanges about Lahbib’s journey. That writes ‘Le Soir’.
“Mr. De Roover’s e-mail has reached Mr. Philippot,” RTBF said in a response to Belga. “RTBF is an autonomous public company of the French Community and is not part of the federal state. Mr De Roover’s request cannot therefore be granted.
ANALYSIS. Of course a journalist is allowed to go to Crimea. But Lahbib came home with Putin propaganda (+)
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