Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06COPENHAGEN991
2006-07-24 10:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Copenhagen
Cable title:
DANISH GOVERNMENT DEFENDS LEBANON POLICY
how-toVZCZCXRO9271 OO RUEHIK RUEHYG DE RUEHCP #0991 2051007 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 241007Z JUL 06 FM AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2605 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT PRIORITY 0073 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 1302
UNCLAS COPENHAGEN 000991
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNSC IS LE DA
SUBJECT: DANISH GOVERNMENT DEFENDS LEBANON POLICY
REF: COPENHAGEN 986
UNCLAS COPENHAGEN 000991
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNSC IS LE DA
SUBJECT: DANISH GOVERNMENT DEFENDS LEBANON POLICY
REF: COPENHAGEN 986
1. (SBU) At an extraordinary weekend session of the Danish
parliament's foreign policy committee July 22, Danish Foreign
Minister Per Stig Moeller maintained a firm line against an
unconditional cease-fire in Lebanon and signaled Danish
government interest in participating in an eventual
peacekeeping force there. Responding to center-left and
left-wing opposition charges (including that Danish policy
has become passive and "militarized"),Moeller rejected any
cease-fire that lacks the support of the parties, stating
that such a cease-fire "would only mean that Hezbollah would
regroup and resume its missile attacks on Israel." Moeller
also put responsibility for the conflict squarely with
Hezbollah and its supporters, who have "now taken the entire
population of Lebanon hostage."
2. (SBU) In response to subsequent press accounts (echoing
opposition charges) that suggested that the government is
siding with the U.S. over the UN, the foreign minister took
the unusual step of issuing a press statement July 24, in
which he emphasized Danish support for the UN, humanitarian
efforts and a political process to end the conflict. At the
same time, Moeller's statement emphasized, a cease-fire alone
is not enough to resolve the crisis, which can only be solved
"when Hamas and Hezbollah are disarmed and recognize Israel's
right to exist."
3. (SBU) Comment: Although anxious to portray themselves as
in step with EU and UN positions, Danish officials have
staked out a clear and decisive position on Lebanon that
takes into account the real causes of the conflict and its
long-term security implications. The Danish government can
easily endure the objections of the relatively weak
opposition. We can expect that Denmark will continue to be
an ally on this issue, perhaps even a contributor to whatever
peacekeeping mission may emerge.
KAISER
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNSC IS LE DA
SUBJECT: DANISH GOVERNMENT DEFENDS LEBANON POLICY
REF: COPENHAGEN 986
1. (SBU) At an extraordinary weekend session of the Danish
parliament's foreign policy committee July 22, Danish Foreign
Minister Per Stig Moeller maintained a firm line against an
unconditional cease-fire in Lebanon and signaled Danish
government interest in participating in an eventual
peacekeeping force there. Responding to center-left and
left-wing opposition charges (including that Danish policy
has become passive and "militarized"),Moeller rejected any
cease-fire that lacks the support of the parties, stating
that such a cease-fire "would only mean that Hezbollah would
regroup and resume its missile attacks on Israel." Moeller
also put responsibility for the conflict squarely with
Hezbollah and its supporters, who have "now taken the entire
population of Lebanon hostage."
2. (SBU) In response to subsequent press accounts (echoing
opposition charges) that suggested that the government is
siding with the U.S. over the UN, the foreign minister took
the unusual step of issuing a press statement July 24, in
which he emphasized Danish support for the UN, humanitarian
efforts and a political process to end the conflict. At the
same time, Moeller's statement emphasized, a cease-fire alone
is not enough to resolve the crisis, which can only be solved
"when Hamas and Hezbollah are disarmed and recognize Israel's
right to exist."
3. (SBU) Comment: Although anxious to portray themselves as
in step with EU and UN positions, Danish officials have
staked out a clear and decisive position on Lebanon that
takes into account the real causes of the conflict and its
long-term security implications. The Danish government can
easily endure the objections of the relatively weak
opposition. We can expect that Denmark will continue to be
an ally on this issue, perhaps even a contributor to whatever
peacekeeping mission may emerge.
KAISER