shortcut talks to belgian tom schutyser, conspiracy theorist, Vietnam operative and sailor.

How did Belgium get to be EU headquarters? Did they bribe someone?

You know, historic evidence shows the Southern Lowlands have always been EU headquarters, though under different formats and not always on friendly terms … Bribing would really have been an overstatement in a number of cases. It rather sounded like a free lunch, and more than that.

But, bit by bit Belgians got their act together.
There is a strategy, let me explain, …

Throughout centuries different tribes, people and nations have been rowing, sailing or motoring our seas and rivers; marching, ploughing, parading, rampaging and pillaging our soils and crops; invading, digging in, bombing and chasing on our towns and people.

All this resulted in a humble attitude; a flexible nature adapting to new circumstances, to new rulers and their follies; Belgians studied their different languages, got to know their ploys and wicked tricks; Belgians became specialists in conflict avoidance and became the ultimate consensus builders often involving the most elaborate compromises. All these characteristics were important to achieve our objective in Phase 1: get unnoticed, fly under the radar.
Yet the mere start of the country of Belgian was such a farce. How could one take Belgium serious ? So that sounded like a successful start….

So then the Belgians geared into Phase 2. As all superpowers were engaged in their latest craze of the Cold War and such mighty figures as D. Eisenhower, W. Churchill and C. De Gaulle, not to forget Stalin and Mao, were quarrelling over their toys, their people, armies and territories, the Belgians plotted to build The European Community. The support of France, Germany and the other first nations was quickly secured and, really, from the outside it looked, it was almost as by accident that Belgium was involved in the process. The omen was good …

Now, in Phase 3, Belgium is further securing the EU seat’s location. All those staff from all those countries are so used to wine and dine in Belgian burgundy cuisine style, that they feel as if at home. The free lunch remember … ? There was some initial French mécontentement. But that was quickly silenced. So now it is just a matter of tightening the trap further bit by bit. Soon Brussel DC will be launched …

Describe the best job you've ever had - and what are you up to now?

With highest votes in favour, my job as helmsman on a 42 Ft sail yacht in the Aegean Sea in Greece in mid-summer 1997, sailing one week while my friends did not bother too much about taking turns.
 
Next in row of my best job I’ve ever had was my posting as the Country Representative in Vietnam back in 1997-1999. It was a most challenging location and environment to operate in. I was running our commercial and marketing activities and representation in country, while a contract in dredging and port construction was ongoing. In parallel, I did an extensive market investigation in Japan with a colleague.
 
Right now I am still enjoying the marvellous trip we made during Christmas in Argentina. Further I am progressing from our “move and installation in the USA” phase into the “healthy in the body, healthy in the mind” phase here, by reading, sporting, and exploring what I will venture into as from mid year. 

You recently got married. Your thoughts on love?

Go West Young Man and Woman, …
and we are in Portland, Oregon, USA now … !!!
But hey going further West and we are back in the East … !!!

Love is just a paradox,
She loves me …,
She loves me not ….
In marriage, supposedly you have gotten over this phase,
But not always …
Then it is not only a paradox, you also have to work on it.

You've just moved to the US - any first impressions you want to share?

An impression supposes something gets imprinted, right?
Hey no, that would be too sarcastic.

Portland is a nice place to live, especially for outdoorsy type people: mountains, river and seas are all about 1,5 hour driving away. The place is ideal for hiking, MTB, skiing, snowboarding, windsurfing, rafting. There are several natural parks nearby.
Portland also has several city quarters each with a different flavour: the Pearl district for wannabees, Downtown, Chinatown, 21st & 23 NW Avenues. Alberta Street and Hawthorne Blvd have some fun vintage shops. There are plenty of good restaurants.
For a good cosmopolitan weekend out, Seattle is 3 hours driving away. And one can fly anywhere easily in the USA. Two weekend's ago we spend Drieke’s birthday in NYC.

US TV Channels are trash. The commercials spoil any decent TV experience. Any film needs double the time showing on TV. News Channels still need to be reinvented here to really cover news. We found some good radio stations though.

People here are quite relaxed and live goes on like in many US cities, I guess. Quite a number of homeless people though.

But one thing especially has impressed me. 200 years ago there were only Indian tribes here. The first traders (British, French) landed on the shores and were moving in up river crossing the country. 200 years ago, the Lewis & Clark expedition was sent by President Jefferson to explore a water navigation route from East to West. And then the migration to the West started, and came along all the rest. Frankly it is amazing, what has been developed and built here, as you can see when you travel around here in this country.

Best country in Europe in your experience? Why?

Lebanon, … ?!?
Heck, why not, maybe some day, …. ?
I like any city with a certain degree of madness, of frenzy and chaos.

You traveled along the silk route a few years ago - what did locals have to say about Europe? Any comments or views you remember?

In general, I often felt people were more relaxed when they got to know I came from Europe. It felt like people from Iran realized discussions with Europeans can be held without immediately getting trapped into polarisations. People in Iran also realised the peculiar position Iran has on the international scene. And they felt at least Iran is now being seen on the international scene. There is also considerable exchange between the Iranians inside and outside of Iran. I found Iranians were rather worldly, very aware of the outside world.

In Central Asia people did not have that feeling of a position whatsoever on the international scene. Often one felt that they realize they are far away from any international action or relevance.

But then again both for Iranians and people in Central Asia, Europe is like the ultimate aspiration to go to and make a successful living.