Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BAGHDAD548
2006-02-21 17:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:  

DANISH DCM COMMENTS ON CARTOON CONTROVERSY

Tags:  PREL PGOV DA IZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO4051
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK RUEHMOS
DE RUEHGB #0548 0521750
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 211750Z FEB 06
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2826
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000548 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/21/2026
TAGS: PREL PGOV DA IZ
SUBJECT: DANISH DCM COMMENTS ON CARTOON CONTROVERSY

Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBERT S. FORD, FOR REASONS 1.4 (B)
AND (D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000548

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/21/2026
TAGS: PREL PGOV DA IZ
SUBJECT: DANISH DCM COMMENTS ON CARTOON CONTROVERSY

Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBERT S. FORD, FOR REASONS 1.4 (B)
AND (D).


1. (C) Danish DCM Torkild Byg told Poloff February 20 that
Denmark is getting mixed signals from the Iraqi Government on
whether the Danes are welcome in Iraq in the aftermath of
protests over publication of the cartoons depicting the
Prophet Mohammed. Foreign Minister Zebari and Defense
Minister Dulaymi have both publicly welcomed continued Danish
troop and reconstruction presence in Iraq. However, Sadrist
Transportation Minister Selam al-Maliki, has twice called for
a boycott of contacts and trade with both Denmark and Norway.
The governors of Basra and Karbala have made similar
demands. Byg told Poloff that the Danish parliamentary
mandate for deployment in Iraq expires in June. The Danish
government (which according to Byg has been strengthened by
the cartoon controversy) wants to continue the deployment but
will not stay if their presence is unwelcome.


2. (C) Byg said that the "struggling" Danish government has
closed its embassies and withdrawn all diplomats from
Damascus, Beirut, Jakarta, Teheran and Istanbul. He said
that Beirut and Damascus may be closed for a long time. The
boycott of Danish goods by Muslim countries is having an
impact though Danish exports to the region (about 2.5% of
total Danish exports) are mostly cheese and butter. He said
that the boycott may shave a half percent from Denmark's
projected 3% GDP growth for 2006. He added that the Danes
have closed a factory in Saudi Arabia affecting 300 jobs.
KHALILZAD