Wikileaks - DCXVI
96034 2/9/2007 14:59 07COPENHAGEN131 Embassy Copenhagen CONFIDENTIAL 07STATE13840 VZCZCXRO3360 PP RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHCP #0131 0401459 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 091459Z FEB 07 FM AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3194 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES PRIORITY RUEHBM/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST PRIORITY 0650 RUEHSF/AMEMBASSY SOFIA PRIORITY 0470 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1498 C O N F I D E N T I A L COPENHAGEN 000131
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2017 TAGS: PREL, PGOV, ETRD, EU, DA SUBJECT: DANISH VIEWS AND PRIORITIES FOR FEBRUARY GAERC
REF: A. STATE 13840
B. STATE 15811
Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Bill Mozdzierz, reasons 1.4 b,d
1. (C) Summary. Denmark will look for near-term forward progress on Ahtisaari's Kosovo plan and can be expected to maintain a skeptical line toward Iran at the February GAERC. Denmark will also press for EU consensus that a new Palestinian unity government honor Quartet principles, and is looking forward to adoption of the EU's Afghanistan ESDP mission. End Summary.
2. (C) Kosovo/Serbia: MFA European Correspondent Nicolaj Hejberg Petersen told us February 8 that Kosovo was Denmark's primary focus for this upcoming GAERC. The Danes welcome Ahtisaari's proposal and expect the Council to back it. Denmark wants forward progress soon on Ahtisaari - it would be good to have a "constructive" Serb government in place before moving ahead, but that should not be grounds for any additional significant delay, Petersen said. Addressing Serbia more broadly, Petersen said that, while not on the agenda for this GAERC, Denmark expects a Council decision soon on re-starting SAA negotiations with Belgrade, to encourage continued progress on democratic development. Petersen suggested that Denmark may ultimately go along with such a proposal, provided there is a clear signal of cooperation from the Serbs on ICTY and that an SAA will be conditioned on full compliance (i.e., Mladic and Karadzic in The Hague).
3. (C) Iran: Petersen said Council discussions on Iran would likely focus more on Iran's regional role and less on ongoing efforts to confront Tehran's nuclear program. The Danes believe Iran is "playing a negative role" in the region, and Copenhagen takes a more expansive view in the European debate over how narrowly to apply UNSCR 1737. Denmark, according to Petersen, is for a broader list of persons and companies to be included under the EU's collective implementation of 1737. Petersen also commented that U.S. financial sanctions against Tehran were "very useful" and "will be felt" in Iran. Nevertheless, Denmark also believes in keeping an open, if skeptical, EU dialogue with Iran.
4. (C) Israel/Palestinian Issues: The Danes are hopeful regarding news of a unity government, but Petersen stressed that Denmark will look carefully at its composition and insist that it honor the three key Quartet principles.
5. (C) Afghanistan: Denmark expects adoption of the ESDP police mission at this GAERC, and Denmark will contribute 5 police officers to the proposed 160-member force (Denmark's ESDP defense opt-out does not apply to this civilian police mission). Denmark, more broadly, remains focused on intensifying EU efforts in Afghanistan, both through the police mission and by working to resist any reductions in EU development assistance to Afghanistan.
6. (C) Darfur: Petersen said that, while Darfur will not be a major discussion topic, there will be conclusions that mention the threat of sanctions; this was also a priority for Denmark at the January GAERC. Denmark will look to keep pressure on the UN for full implementation of Phases II & III, though Petersen said Copenhagen is seeing "disturbing signals" on Phase III. Petersen said Bashir might be given a little more time, but that full pressure on Bashir, coupled with the credible threat of sanctions, was the best formula for success. If Bashir cannot deliver, continued Petersen, then Denmark might have to work with interested allies to "look at Plan B." CAIN
