Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06OSLO374
2006-03-24 17:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Oslo
Cable title:  

(C) NORWAY HELPED BROKER THE SPAIN-ETA DEAL

Tags:  PREL PTER SP NO 
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VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNY #0374 0831712
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 241712Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY OSLO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3690
INFO RUEHSW/AMEMBASSY BERN PRIORITY 1230
RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID PRIORITY 1741
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000374 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/25/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER SP NO
SUBJECT: (C) NORWAY HELPED BROKER THE SPAIN-ETA DEAL

Classified By: P/E Counselor Mike Hammer, reason 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000374

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/25/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER SP NO
SUBJECT: (C) NORWAY HELPED BROKER THE SPAIN-ETA DEAL

Classified By: P/E Counselor Mike Hammer, reason 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U) On March 24, Norwegian radio/TV reported that Norway
has secretly been involved in facilitating the talks between
the Spanish Government and ETA over the past few months.
According to the press report, the two sides met for talks in
Oslo last fall and other nations, such as Switzerland, were
also involved. The Foreign Ministry has not commented on the
reports, which state that the Norwegian role started before
the current government took office last October.


2. (C) Foreign Minister Jonas Stoere confided to the
Ambassador (on 3/24) that he personally had played a role in
getting the ETA ceasefire agreement. Stoere said that he did
not intend to confirm this role publicly, and asked us to
treat Norway's role involvement confidentially. He noted
that not even his staff were aware of the extent of his
engagement. Stoere opined that if the ceasefire holds for
the next 4-5 months, there is a real prospect for a long-term
settlement between ETA and Madrid.


3. (C) Comment. It is surprising that Stoere is being so
restrained about not bragging about what role he may have
played in bringing about an ETA ceasefire, given his recent
penchant for turning to the press to publicize his every
move. Stoere did not specify when these Norwegian efforts
began. In fact, the extent of Norway's involvement does not
seem to be widely known even within the Norwegian MFA, but we
will endeavor to put together a more complete picture of
Norway's role in the coming days. The Ambassador used this
opportunity to stress to FM Stoere that we would appreciate
open and early consultation as he pursues his (overly?)
active foreign policy.
Visit Oslo's Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/oslo/index.cf m

WHITNEY