DANISH VIEWS AND PRIORITIES FOR FEBRUARY GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L COPENHAGEN 000131

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD EU DA
SUBJECT: DANISH VIEWS AND PRIORITIES FOR FEBRUARY GAERC

REF: A. STATE 13840


B. STATE 15811

Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Bill Mozdzierz, reasons 1.4 b,d


1. (C) Summary. Denmark will look for near-term forward
progress on Ahtisaari's Kosovo plan and can be expected to
maintain a skeptical line toward Iran at the February GAERC.
Denmark will also press for EU consensus that a new
Palestinian unity government honor Quartet principles, and is
looking forward to adoption of the EU's Afghanistan ESDP
mission. End Summary.


2. (C) Kosovo/Serbia: MFA European Correspondent Nicolaj
Hejberg Petersen told us February 8 that Kosovo was Denmark's
primary focus for this upcoming GAERC. The Danes welcome
Ahtisaari's proposal and expect the Council to back it.
Denmark wants forward progress soon on Ahtisaari - it would
be good to have a "constructive" Serb government in place
before moving ahead, but that should not be grounds for any
additional significant delay, Petersen said. Addressing
Serbia more broadly, Petersen said that, while not on the
agenda for this GAERC, Denmark expects a Council decision
soon on re-starting SAA negotiations with Belgrade, to
encourage continued progress on democratic development.
Petersen suggested that Denmark may ultimately go along with
such a proposal, provided there is a clear signal of
cooperation from the Serbs on ICTY and that an SAA will be
conditioned on full compliance (i.e., Mladic and Karadzic in
The Hague).


3. (C) Iran: Petersen said Council discussions on Iran would
likely focus more on Iran's regional role and less on ongoing
efforts to confront Tehran's nuclear program. The Danes
believe Iran is "playing a negative role" in the region, and
Copenhagen takes a more expansive view in the European debate
over how narrowly to apply UNSCR 1737. Denmark, according to
Petersen, is for a broader list of persons and companies to
be included under the EU's collective implementation of 1737.
Petersen also commented that U.S. financial sanctions
against Tehran were "very useful" and "will be felt" in Iran.
Nevertheless, Denmark also believes in keeping an open, if
skeptical, EU dialogue with Iran.


4. (C) Israel/Palestinian Issues: The Danes are hopeful
regarding news of a unity government, but Petersen stressed
that Denmark will look carefully at its composition and
insist that it honor the three key Quartet principles.


5. (C) Afghanistan: Denmark expects adoption of the ESDP
police mission at this GAERC, and Denmark will contribute 5
police officers to the proposed 160-member force (Denmark's
ESDP defense opt-out does not apply to this civilian police
mission). Denmark, more broadly, remains focused on
intensifying EU efforts in Afghanistan, both through the
police mission and by working to resist any reductions in EU
development assistance to Afghanistan.


6. (C) Darfur: Petersen said that, while Darfur will not be a
major discussion topic, there will be conclusions that
mention the threat of sanctions; this was also a priority for
Denmark at the January GAERC. Denmark will look to keep
pressure on the UN for full implementation of Phases II &
III, though Petersen said Copenhagen is seeing "disturbing
signals" on Phase III. Petersen said Bashir might be given a
little more time, but that full pressure on Bashir, coupled
with the credible threat of sanctions, was the best formula
for success. If Bashir cannot deliver, continued Petersen,
then Denmark might have to work with interested allies to
"look at Plan B."
CAIN