DANISH PRIME MINISTER COMMITTED TO IRAQ

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001779

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2016
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL PINS PNAT PTER KDEM KISL IZ DA
SUBJECT: DANISH PRIME MINISTER COMMITTED TO IRAQ


Classified By: AMBASSADOR ZALMAY KHALILZAD FOR REASONS 1.4 (A),(B),AN
D (D).


1. (C) SUMMARY: On May 24, Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh
Rasmussen and Danish Defense Minister Soren Gade called on
the Ambassador and GEN Casey. Rasmussen reported that the
Danish Parliament is expected to vote next week to extend and
adjust its military presence in Iraq through July 7, 2007.
He also expressed satisfaction with his earlier meetings that
day with Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki, President Talibani, and
Council of Representative Speaker Mashhadani. Rasmussen took
this opportunity to probe Ambassador and GEN Casey on
security transfer "timetables," Iranian influence, and the
likelihood for increased fundamentalism in Iraq. END
SUMMARY.

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Danish Security Footprint Plan for 2007
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2. (C) Rasmussen opened the session by stating that it is
likely his government will vote "yes" next week to extend and
adjust its troop mandate for service in Iraq through July 7,

2007. The modified mandate would reduce the number of Danish
ground troops in Basrah by 80 (leaving about 400 Danish
soldiers) and increase the Danish military contingent
supporting UNAMI in Baghdad from the current five to
approximately 30. The mandate also includes the provision of
a dedicated C-130 aircraft with flight and ground crew for
the UNAMI mission, which would be based in Amman. Rasmussen
also pointed out that his government will participate in the
British-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT).

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Iraq Government Priorities
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3. (C) Rasmussen expressed satisfaction with his meetings
with PM Maliki, President Talibani, and Parliament Speaker
Mashhadani. He noted that they all seem to agree that the
top government priorities are improving security, delivering
essential services, and addressing ethno-sectarian violence.
The Ambassador stressed that another objective of these
leaders is to fill the critical posts of Defense Minister,
Interior Minister, and Minister of State for National
Security Affairs with independent, capable leaders as soon as
possible.


4. (C) Rasmussen expressed confidence in the new government
and agreed with the Ambassador's statement that, in order to
win over the people and restore their confidence in the state
of Iraq, this government must demonstrate concrete
improvement in the next few months. GEN Casey pointed out
that in terms of security, the focus for improvement must be
Baghdad, for which Maliki and others have a strategy for
implementation. GEN Casey cautioned that security
improvements should not be expected for at least a month, as
the terrorists are putting great efforts into perpetuating
violence during this time of transition.

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Security Transfer Timetable
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5. (C) Rasmussen questioned whether the Iraqis are serious
about having a "timetable" for the transfer of security as
mentioned by Maliki to British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
GEN Casey responded that there is not -- and should not -- be
a detailed timetable for transfer of security but rather a
conditions-based process that is subject to change. GEN
Casey went on to stress that, based on the most recent
assessment conducted by the Coalition and Iraqis, it appears
that transfer of security could occur in seven or eight of
the provinces by the end of the year and that within 18-24
months Iraqi Security Forces should be able to operate with
minimal Coalition Force support.

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Iranian influence
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6. (C) Rasmussen was interested in the growing Iranian
influence in Iraq, which the Ambassador stated is strong now.
Although the USG welcomes a solid Iraq-Iran relationship
(particularly in areas such as diplomacy, trade, and border
control),we cannot accept the negative influence, Ambassador
said. Allowing weapons, money, and terrorists to flow in and
out of Iraq from Iran must be stopped. GEN Casey added that
Iranians increasingly are responsible for the shipments of
IEDs, bombmaking components, and other weapons to Shia
extremists interested in killing Coalition Forces. Casey

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also noted that Iranians are sponsoring offensive training
for Shia extremists and militias both inside Iraq and abroad.

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The Rise of Extremism in Iraq
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7. (C) Rasmussen expressed concern with growing extremism in
Iraq and emphasized that the international community must
apply its "soft power" for years to come to ensure against
radicalism. As Coalition countries withdraw their forces,
Rasmussen continued, they should maintain their political
presence and continue to contribute to socio-economic
development. The Ambassador agreed, stating that deterring
extremism in Iraq and throughout the region will be the
defining challenge of our time. The Ambassador stressed that
although Iraq has a history of secularism, there is a strong
and influential religious network between Iran and Iraq that
cannot be underestimated; the international community must
work to contain or reverse Iranian influence. This will not
be easy, and to illustrate this point the Ambassador pointed
out that Iran gives up to 6,000 scholarships a year to young
Iranian men to study in Najaf.
KHALILZAD