SCANDINAVIANS MOVING QUIETLY TO REPAIR RELATIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAMASCUS 000711

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

PARIS FOR ZEYA; LONDON FOR TSOU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL SY
SUBJECT: SCANDINAVIANS MOVING QUIETLY TO REPAIR RELATIONS
WITH SARG


Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Stephen A. Seche, per 1.4 b,d.


1. (C) Summary: Nearly three weeks after three Scandinavian
embassies in Damascus suffered moderate to severe damage in
SARG-sanctioned demonstrations to protest the caricatures of
the Prophet Mohammed in European media, it appears that all
three governments are moving quietly to repair relations with
the Syrian regime, restore their damaged buildings to working
order, and return to work. End Summary.


2. (C) Charge spoke with both the Swedish and Norwegian
ambassadors this week and, while each remains troubled by the
events of February 4, neither expressed a desire to sever
ties with the SARG, nor did they offer any indication that
such a course of action was being contemplated by their
respective governments. In addition, the Danish Ambassador,
who left Syria to return to Copenhagen shortly after the
demonstrations for security reasons, apparently is preparing
to return presently.


3. (C) Both the Swedish and Norwegian ambassadors told the
Charge that the SARG has agreed to pay compensation for the
damages to their Missions and that they are finalizing an
inventory of damage and expenses. (Note: We presume this
offer of compensation extends to the Danes, as well.) The
Swedish Ambassador noted that she and her staff returned to
their moderately damaged offices just days after the
demonstrations, and have been working from that location ever
since. She noted that, in addition to a large quantity of
broken eggs, glass and rocks she discovered in her office
that overlooked the street where the demonstrators gathered,
she also found a Molotov cocktail that apparently had failed
to ignite.


4. (C) The Norwegian Ambassador, whose Mission was gutted by
fire, said that its secure communications equipment and cable
traffic had not been compromised and had been returned to
Oslo recently. He noted that the Syrian government has made
offices available to him in the Meridien Hotel in the
meantime. It also is permitting him to work extensively from
the Norwegian Consulate in Beirut during this period,
although he must travel to the Embassy in Amman to send and
receive secure communications. In response to a question
regarding the possible move of his Embassy from Damascus to
Beirut as an expression of displeasure with the SARG, the
Ambassador said that such a move was very unlikely, since the
government in Damascus would never accredit him in Syria in
that case, and he believes (and presumably his government
agrees) that his ability to work here is too important to
relinquish.


5. (C) We understand that the Danish Ambassador, who left
Syria less than a week after the demonstrations for security
reasons, is poised to return presently. One Danish staffer
remained in Damascus to pay salaries of local staff and
attend to any other requirements. (Note: The Ambassador
also left his dog behind, suggesting that his absence was
never intended to be permanent.)


6. (C) Comment. It seems clear from our conversations with
the Scandinavian diplomats here that their governments have
no intention of recalling them or otherwise putting relations
with the SARG on ice in the wake of the violent
demonstrations earlier this month. They seem intent on
restoring their buildings - and their government's relations
with the SARG. - to something resembling the state of affairs
that prevailed the morning of February 4, before the
demonstrators took to the streets with SARG encouragement and
support. They clearly want to remain involved in Syria, and
engaged in efforts to encourage internal reforms and end
regional conflicts. One even suggested that they use the
perceived SARG desire to make amends with their governments
as leverage to try and achieve some traction for the
Arab-Israeli peace process. End comment.
SECHE