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