Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06COPENHAGEN262
2006-03-01 09:33:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Copenhagen
Cable title:  

KEEPING DENMARK ENGAGED IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN

Tags:  PREL MOPS MARR IZ AF DA 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHCP #0262 0600933
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 010933Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2053
INFO RUEHXP/ALL NATO POST COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0046
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 0756
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L COPENHAGEN 000262 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2016
TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR IZ AF DA
SUBJECT: KEEPING DENMARK ENGAGED IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN

Classified By: AMBASSADOR JAMES P. CAIN,
REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L COPENHAGEN 000262

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2016
TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR IZ AF DA
SUBJECT: KEEPING DENMARK ENGAGED IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN

Classified By: AMBASSADOR JAMES P. CAIN,
REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (C) During a February 28 meeting, the Ambassador stressed
to Defense Minister Gade the USG's strong interest in
Denmark's continued contributions in Iraq. Gade said the
Danish government will prepare a "white paper" in May that
analyzes how Denmark can best continue to contribute to
Iraq's security and reconstruction needs. Gade said he will
also lead a group visit to Iraq in the spring and underscored
the political need to expose as many Danish opinion-makers as
possible to progress on the ground in Iraq. The Danish
government will then seek parliament's approval in late May
or in June to extend the current mandate for Danish
deployments in Iraq beyond July 1.


2. (C) Gade said he is pessimistic that the Social Democratic
and Social Liberal parties will vote in favor of the next
extension. At the same time, he expressed confidence that
the Danish People's Party will once again vote with the
government despite growing unease with the Iraqi deployment
among rank-and-file members. The Defense Minister said Prime
Minister Fogh Rasmussen is "steady" on this issue and not at
all inclined to cede decision-making on this issue to the
opposition. Nevertheless, Gade stressed how important it is
to the Danish debate that the new Iraqi government be in
place and solicit Denmark's continued contributions.


3. (C) The Ambassador also expressed appreciation for
Denmark's commitment to do more in Afghanistan. He also
asked about a potential delay in deployment reportedly
related to a civilian contractor's security concerns about
transporting equipment through Pakistan in the wake of the
Mohammed cartoon controversy. Gade said the Danish
government still wants to put "boots on the ground" as soon
as possible in support of NATO ISAF III expansion. The
Danish defense minister will accompany his British
counterpart on a March 15-19 visit to Afghanistan, including
to Helmand Province where Danish troops expect to be
deployed. Gade pledged to share his views, including on
timing for the Danish deployment, after that visit.


4. (C) Noting that he understood the current U.S. position on
force generation for NATO Response Force (NRF),Gade
nevertheless urged the USG to pledge ground assets that would
allow joint participation with the United States and smaller
NATO allies. Gade noted that Denmark is among those NATO
allies that believe the NRF should be an engine for
transformation and deployed often. He said an enhanced US
NRF pledge would send the right signal to NATO allies.
CAIN