DANES URGE QUICK PASSAGE OF NORTH KOREA SANCTIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L COPENHAGEN 001372 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2016 TAGS: PREL PARM KNNP UNSC KN DA SUBJECT: DANES URGE QUICK PASSAGE OF NORTH KOREA SANCTIONS RESOLUTION REF: A. STATE 169418 ¶B. COPENHAGEN 1355 ¶C. COPENHAGEN 1366 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Sandra Kaiser, reasons 1.4b,d ¶1. (C) Denmark supports rapid UN Security Council adoption of our draft resolution on North Korea, Danish MFA Head of Department for Asia (A/S equivalent) Susan Ulbaek assured us October 10. Ulbaek expressed optimism that agreement could be reached in New York even later that day, but urged that, in any case, priority be given to the earliest possible response to DPRK provocation and that proposed text changes (such as those suggested by Japan) be kept to a minimum. Reviewing the previous day's UNSC discussions on sanctions, Ulbaek observed that key states such as China and Russia were unusually quiet after their initial statements, which she attributed to a possible lack of instructions or a tactic of waiting to gauge what eventually emerges from the debate. ¶2. (C) Ulbaek underscored the importance of securing China's support in dealing with North Korea, helping the risk-averse Chinese regime overcome its fears about creating further instability in the region. China appears to recognize that inaction is not an option in this case, Ulbaek argued, but the preference for the status quo remains deeply ingrained in the Chinese leadership. A clear signal from the U.S. to the Chinese that we are open to engaging the North Koreans more directly and bilaterally (once the DPRK has rejoined the Six Party Talks, for example) might encourage Beijing, Ulbaek opined, by suggesting that the "burden" of dialogue with Pyongyang would eventually be shared more evenly. CAIN