Res Publica |
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Article | Diplomatie en «Realpolitik»Aspecten van de Belgische politieke en diplomatieke relaties met het Derde Rijk, 1933-1935 |
Authors | Guido Convents |
DOI | 10.5553/RP/048647001984026002197 |
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Guido Convents, "Diplomatie en «Realpolitik»", Res Publica, 2, (1984):197-242
Although Belgian diplomats analysed the nazi-regime from the very first moment as intrinsically crimina!, inhuman, dictatorial and revenge seeking, they showed the nazis in 1934-1935 that dialogue was possible. The nazi-diplomacy, with secrecy as a keystone, permitted some of the most important Belgian politicians and businessmen to meet the nazi-leaders without being disapproved by public opinion or even parliament. This resulted in a «practical» way to improve political and above all economical relations between Belgium and nazi-Germany. It can be seen as a Belgian answer to the inability of France and Great Britain to force the Third Reich to respect the international security treaties which were to guarantee the sovereignty of Belgium. |