AMBASSADOR'S INTRODUCTORY CALL ON FM STOERE

C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000059

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FOR S

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/13/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR NO
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S INTRODUCTORY CALL ON FM STOERE

REF: STATE 5477

Classified By: Ambassador Benson K. Whitney, reason 1.4 and d.


1. (C) Summary. In the Ambassador's introductory call on
Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere January 13, the FM said
that maintaining close ties to the United States was a top
priority and noted that the U.S. is "Norway's most important
ally." FM Stoere is keen to promote even closer cooperation
on "High North" issues and hopes that the Secretary will
accept his invitation to visit Norway's north, perhaps in
conjunction with her trip to the Sofia NATO Ministerial.


2. (C) FM Stoere brought up the unfortunate comments of
Finance Minister Halvorsen (leader of the Socialist Left
party) regarding boycotting Israel, and noted his immediate
effort to set the record straight -- hence his letter to the
Secretary making it clear that there was no change in

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Norway's policy towards Israel, nor will there be. On Iran,
Stoere said he will meet El Baradei on January 17 and that
while he understood the need for the IAEA to refer the matter
to the UNSC, Stoere worries that the UNSC will not take
action and that we will have another situation like North
Korea. Finally, Stoere raised Guantanamo, making clear that
while it is an issue of concern for most Norwegians, he does
not want to be confrontational. Stoere said that Norway's
position is not/not that we should close Guantanamo but
rather that detainees should be afforded the same rights as
POWs under the Geneva Convention. End Summary.

FM Stoere Stresses Importance of Relationship with U.S.
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3. (C) The Ambassador had a pleasant, productive, hour-long
first meeting with Foreign Minister Stoere January 13, only
one day after presenting his credentials to the King. FM
Stoere said he wants to maintain close ties with the United
States and stressed we are "Norway's most important ally."
The Foreign Minister noted that while most choose to focus on
political issues, it is the depth of the relationship,
including the vibrant cultural, educational, science fields,
that keeps our nations bonded together.


4. (C) The Foreign Minister noted that it is a change for
the far left Socialist Left party to be included in
government but that one needs to understand that the
Socialist Left party has come a long way as it now accepts
NATO and the Transatlantic link as an pillar of Norwegian
foreign policy. "We have come a long way since the 1950s,
when SV was founded in protest to the Alliance," the FM
remarked. That said, the FM acknowledged that there will be
moments of heartburn, as with (Socialist Left) Finance
Minister Halvorsen's comment, that she ended up retracting,
that she supports a boycott of Israel. The Foreign Minister
emphasized that he worked immediately and intensively as soon
as he heard the remark to set the record straight -- hence
the letters to Secretary Rice and FM Shalom. The Ambassador
noted that we appreciated the Minister's quick response and
unequivocal reaffirmation that Norway does not, and will not,
support a boycott of Israel. Additionally, the Ambassador
expressed appreciation for the Foreign Minister's commitment
to preserving strong bilateral ties and pledged to do his
part to work to advance common objectives.


5. (C) The Ambassador took the opportunity to thank the
Minister for his support on the Embassy's efforts to relocate
to a new, more secure site. The FM remarked that the city
council vote to approve the move was indeed dramatic but "all
is well that ends well." The FM encouraged the Embassy to
reach out to the community in Huseby (site of the NEC) and
ensure that it feels that the Embassy will be a good neighbor.

FM Keen to have the Secretary Visit Norway's High North
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6. (C) FM Stoere suggested that the U.S. and Norway could
further strengthen their cooperation by engaging in a
meaningful dialogue about High North (i.e., Arctic issues,
including energy, environment and non-proliferation) and
hoped that the Secretary would soon accept his invitation to
visit northern Norway. The FM thought that perhaps the
Secretary could visit in connection with her upcoming trip to

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the NATO Ministerial in April and he will be putting together
some concrete dates and thoughts on a possible program for
the Secretary. The Foreign Minister also mentioned that he
had discussed with U/S Burns the possibility of a high-level
session on the high north in Washington sometime in the next
few months. The Ambassador noted that the United States is
also interested in deepening the dialogue on the high north.
In fact, the Ambassador will make his first trip outside Oslo

to visit the Norway's northernmost region at the end of this
month.

Guantanamo - Under Pressure, FM Raises it in Low-key Way
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7. (C) With the Socialist Left party and local chapter of
Amnesty International calling for the government to urge us
to close down Guantanamo, the Foreign Minister raised
concerns about the limited rights afforded detainees. The FM
made clear that while this is a hot-button issue for most
Norwegians, the government will not/not join calls for
Guantanamo's closure. "The U.S. has a right to hold people
who are terrorists and a threat to its national security,"
the FM said, but in his view U.S. interests would be better
served if the detainees were treated as POWs under the Geneva
convention. "No one is outside the law," he remarked.
Stoere then said that he plans to present us with the legal
and political arguments for why this is the case.

Referring Iran to the UNSC - Norway Open, But Not There Yet
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8. (C) Per reftel, the Ambassador urged Norway to support
an emergency IAEA Board of Governors' meeting to vote
affirmatively to report Iran to the UNSC. The Minister noted
that they had called in the Iranian Ambassador prior to the
EU-3 announcement and made clear Norway's deep concerns about
Iran's resumption of its uranium enrichment research. The FM
has publicly acknowledged that while Norway supports efforts
to find a diplomatic solution, "this latest development makes
this more difficult and brings the matter one step closer to
the UNSC." Stoere, though, remained committed to trying to
find a diplomatic solution and worried that if the matter is
referred to the UNSC it will meet the same fate as North
Korea -- and "simply sit in the UNSC's in-box." Stoere also
expressed concern that the current devolving situation could
lead to a military option and that therefore it was
imperative that this be managed wisely. Stoere said he will
be meeting with DG ElBaradei in Vienna on January 17. The
Ambassador stressed that it was essential that the
international community continue to press Iran.

Comment
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9. (C) Foreign Minister Stoere was engaging and keen to
highlight the premium he places on the bilateral relationship
with the U.S., as usual. Stoere's actions also match his
words. He was quick and aggressive in making Norway's
position on Israel clear and his efforts resulted in getting
Finance Minister Halvorsen to apologize for her statement.
Stoere also supported the Embassy's move with a timely letter
to the City Council, even though it was politically dicey to
do so. And, by meeting the Ambassador, as soon as he
presented his credentials, Stoere was signaling that he is
eager to develop a close partnership with the United States.
Stoere is the one shining light in the Stoltenberg cabinet,
and the more we can do to enhance his standing within the
government, the better. A visit by the Secretary would be
the ultimate feather in his cap; we hope it becomes possible.

Visit Oslo's Classified website:
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WHITNEY


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