DENMARK: INDEPENDENT INQUIRY COMMITTEE FOLLOW-UP

UNCLAS COPENHAGEN 000450 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR IO/PSC (LParker) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KFIN PGOV IZ DA SUBJECT: DENMARK: INDEPENDENT INQUIRY COMMITTEE FOLLOW-UP REF A: 05 Copenhagen 1944 REF B: STATE 40495 ¶1. (U) 22 Danish firms were named in the final report of the Independent Inquiry Committee (IIC) on the Oil-for-Food Program (OFF) as having been involved in illicit OFF-program payments. Ref A describes the initial Danish response to the report. ¶2. (SBU) In response to Ref B, post followed up with the Public Prosecutor for Serious Economic Crime (PPSEC),which is currently investigating all Danish firms mentioned in the IIC report. PPSEC investigators went to New York in the beginning of February 2006 in order to access the IIC files. PPSEC Director Henning Thiesen told Emboff that relevant documents were brought back to Denmark and are part of the investigation. Thiesen observed that the PPSEC is in a race against time as a statute of limitations applies to the approximately 80 contracts that are under investigation. PPSEC is working with the European Union's Judicial Cooperation Unit (Eurojust) in The Hague concerning coordination of OFF investigations within the EU. ¶3. (U) On March 29, 2006, Thiesen publicly announced that the PPSEC had decided to charge "a number of Danish companies" in connection with illicit OFF trading. At least three Danish firms, Novo Nordisk, Leo Pharma, and FLSmidt, have been charged and more names may be announced in the coming days. By raising formal charges, the PPSEC can ensure that the cases are not statute-barred. ¶4. (U) Thiesen clarified to Emboff that PPSEC has not yet indicted any companies or individuals. All cases continue to be investigated, and it is unclear how long the investigation will take. NOTE: The office of the PPSEC consists of a police division and a prosecution division. The police division investigates allegations and raises charges, i.e., the step that has already been taken. Upon completion of any additional investigation necessary in a case, the police division will pass it to the prosecution division which, examining relevant law and evidence, decides whether or not to recommend indictment. Thiesen himself has the final word. END NOTE. ¶5. (U) Post will monitor and report further developments. CAIN