LEBANON: DANES PLEASED WITH U.S.-FRENCH DRAFT, FM

C O N F I D E N T I A L COPENHAGEN 001050 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2016 TAGS: PREL UNSC LE DA SUBJECT: LEBANON: DANES PLEASED WITH U.S.-FRENCH DRAFT, FM MAY TRAVEL FOR VOTE REF: A. COPENHAGEN 1046 ¶B. STATE 128442 Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Bill Mozdzierz, reasons 1.4b,d ¶1. (C) Danish MFA Middle East Head of Department Tomas Anker Christensen confirmed August 7 that Denmark offers its full support to securing a UN Security Council resolution on Lebanon on the basis of the U.S.-French agreed text, and as quickly as possible. Christensen expressed hope that Lebanese concerns can be taken into account as the text is worked further, but observed that it will never be possible to satisfy every demand. Asked whether Denmark will back the draft resolution over Arab objections, Christensen declared that his government will support whatever the U.S. and French agree to on this issue, underscoring Danish relief that we were able to reach accord on a single draft. He also indicated that he and his team were pleased to see specific language in the text mandating an arms embargo on sales not sanctioned by the Lebanese government. ¶2. (SBU) Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller is reportedly ready to depart for New York at any notice to participate in what Christensen described as a planned UNSC ministerial session to vote on the Lebanon resolution. Moeller may be especially keen to highlight his government's support for UN action on Lebanon given recent charges of "passivity" on the issue from leading members of the center-left and left-wing opposition. CAIN