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