DENMARK EXTENDS ITS IRAQ DEPLOYMENTS BY ONE YEAR

C O N F I D E N T I A L COPENHAGEN 000778 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2016 TAGS: PREL MARR DA IZ SUBJECT: DENMARK EXTENDS ITS IRAQ DEPLOYMENTS BY ONE YEAR Classified By: COUNSELOR FOR POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS BLAIR HALL, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) Summary. With a one-year extension of its deployments in Iraq until at least July 2007, Denmark remains one of the USG's most stalwart partners in Iraq. In addition to maintaining a battalion in southern Iraq, Denmark is boosting its generous reconstruction aid and offering to provide the UN Mission in Iraq with a dedicated aircraft in November. With the mainstream opposition demanding a Danish withdrawal this summer, Prime Minister Fogh Rasmussen's government secured the extension on narrow party lines. Danish officials still underscore the need for continued good communication ("no surprises") with the U.S. and UK, particularly regarding conditions-based adjustments. End Summary. ¶2. (U) The Danish Parliament passed on May 30 the government resolution to extend the mandate for deployment of over 500 Danish troops in Iraq by twelve months until July 2007. The resolution also included provisions for: --- USD 8.5 million in new money for reconstruction projects; --- continued support for the NATO Training Mission where Denmark has 21 trainers; and, --- an offer to provide a dedicated aircraft (a C-130J) to the UN Mission in Iraq for six months starting in November. ¶3. (SBU) Contrary to previous votes on Denmark's commitment to stabilization and reconstruction in Iraq, the mainstream opposition parties voted against the measure. The resolution passed by a narrow majority with the support of the ruling Liberal and Conservative parties and the Danish People,s Party (65 votes is favor, 53 against, and 61 members absent). Defense Minister Sren Gade told DCM on May 31 that the opposition realized the call for withdrawal now did not resonate with voters, so in the end, did not turn the issue into the big parliamentary brawl the government had anticipated. ¶4. (C) Looking ahead, Gade told the DCM that the government is already considering ways to build support for another extension. He and other government parliamentarians believe support within the anti-immigrant Danish People's Party is "wobbly" and DPP leaders are particularly sensitive to any Iraqi government statements that Danish troops are not wanted or needed. Gade would like to invite DPP leaders to travel to Iraq in the fall and invite Iraqi leaders to visit Denmark soon to talk about progress being made. ¶5. (C) MFA Iraq Operations Officer Eva Leisner told visiting EUR/NB desk officer June 1 that the parliamentary resolution does not require parliamentary approval for adjustments downward. The resolution notes that the Danish battalion in southern Iraq is likely to be reduced by 80 during an upcoming August rotation. She thanked the USG for Deputy Advisor for Iraq Deutsch's two visits in the first six months of 2006 and urged that similar consultations take place as conditions evolve in Iraq. "No surprises," Leisner said, remains the politically important mantra with close coalition partner Denmark. CAIN