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Embassy of the United States, Brussels

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Embassy of the United States, Brussels

Map
LocationBrussels, Belgium
Opened1919
RelocatedAnnounced in 2022
Closed1940-1944
Websitehttps://be.usembassy.gov/

The Embassy of the United States, Brussels (French: Ambassade des États-Unis en Belgique; Dutch: Ambassade van de Verenigde Staten in België) is the embassy of the United States to Belgium. It is in the City of Brussels. The embassy initially opened in 1919. The embassy was closed in 1940 after the German invasion of Belgium, and it reopened in 1944.[1] The complex of the embassy currently consists of three buildings.

In 2022, the embassy announced plans to move a new building on Cours Saint-Michel street in Etterbeek.[2][3][4]

Security perimeter: controversy

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The closed Zinnerstraat

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Since 2001, unprecedented security measures have been in force around the embassy. A perimeter has been set up within which the use of the public road is denied to passers-by. This was intended as a temporary measure that would end when the OCAD lowered the terror alert level. However, sustainable constructions appeared on the site: barriers, waiting booths and in 2008 even a metal fence behind which part of the Regentlaan disappeared.[5] In order not to completely block the passage for pedestrians and cyclists, a narrow path was constructed. However, Zinnerstraat was privatized in its entirety.

Not only the size of the perimeter is controversial, but also the way it is enforced. Where in the beginning mainly the Belgian police carried out the checks, private security services gradually gained greater powers. Despite the authorization by the Minister of the Interior, this was done illegally. Only in 2004 it became legally possible for private guards to carry out checks on public roads, provided that this is elaborated in special police regulations.[6] Such regulations were only introduced at the end of 2011. The mayor did not deny that an unlawful situation was being regularized.[7]

Despite this, there have been cases where the security officers call people outside the perimeter to order, forbid them to take pictures and even threaten to confiscate the camera.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "A Guide to the United States' History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776: Belgium". Department of State. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  2. ^ Buxant, Martin (September 9, 2022). "Les Américains vont débarquer à Etterbeek". LN24 (in French). Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  3. ^ "US embassy in Brussels to move to Etterbeek site: Report". POLITICO. September 10, 2022. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  4. ^ Chini, Maïthé (December 15, 2022). "US Embassy set to move to Etterbeek". The Brussels Times. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  5. ^ "Quand " L'ambassade américaine la joue Guantánamo "". Le Soir. June 27, 2008. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016.
  6. ^ Zie artikel 11, § 3, eerste lid, 4° en tweede lid van de "Wet van 10 april 1990 tot regeling van de private en bijzondere veiligheid, ingevoegd bij wet van 7 mei 2004". Archived from the original on May 16, 2021.
  7. ^ "Interpellatie door Ecolo-raadslid Catherine Lemaitre" (PDF). October 17, 2011.[permanent dead link‍]
  8. ^ Verklaring van MR-raadslid Geoffroy Coomans de Brachène tijdens de gemeenteraad van[permanent dead link‍]
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