DANISH VIEWS ON APRIL 23-24 EU GAERC MINISTERIAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L COPENHAGEN 000383 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/19/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON EUN DA SUBJECT: DANISH VIEWS ON APRIL 23-24 EU GAERC MINISTERIAL REF: STATE 51262 Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Bill Mozdzierz, reasons 1.4b,d ¶1. (C) Post reviewed reftel demarche points April 19 with Danish MFA EU correspondent Nicolaj Hejberg Petersen, who offered a mixed outlook for shared U.S. and Danish objectives for the upcoming EU GAERC meeting. Petersen suggested that his government had been pleasantly surprised by the apparently coordinated U.S.-UK drive for sanctions on Sudan, and reported that Denmark agrees on the need to ratchet up the pressure on Bashir. Danish FM Per Stig Moeller is "totally in sanctions mode" on Sudan, Petersen remarked. Denmark may enjoy greater freedom of movement on the issue, Petersen suggested, now that Torben Brylle's appointment as EU special representative for Sudan has been secured. Petersen reported that he had been in close touch with his British counterpart and that prospects look good for helpful language on Sudan sanctions in the GAERC conclusions. ¶2. (C) The situation is less bright with respect to the EU's position on Kosovo, Petersen observed, as continuing internal divisions have prompted the German presidency to take the Western Balkans off the GAERC agenda entirely. Berlin doesn't want a repeat of the negative discussion at the Bremen Gymnich, Petersen said. Slovakia remains the principal culprit in blocking EU backing for the Ahtisaari plan, he reported, but cautioned that the Slovaks are not alone on this. Petersen said that the Slovaks have signaled privately that they are prepared to vote "with the EU" for the plan in the Security Council, but acknowledged that this does the EU little good in the run-up to the vote, leaving the European Union without a clear and strong position. ¶3. (C) Denmark supports the U.S. position on the Middle East peace process, Petersen said, reporting that Denmark had insisted on reference to the Roadmap in the draft GAERC conclusions. The Danish government agrees also on the need to hold the line on contact with Hamas cabinet members, even as some EU colleagues speculate about options for contact with Hamas ministers who accept Quartet principles (which Petersen dismissed as -- for now -- unlikely in the extreme). On financing, Petersen stated that the Palestinian government is not yet ready to receive direct support. ¶4. (C) Denmark agrees completely on Iran, Petersen said; the Danish government had fought to make the EU's Common Position as broad as possible and is very pleased with the latest Security Council resolution. The Danes share our concerns about the weakness of the Lebanese government and the possible re-arming of Hizballah. The recent extension of the Danish naval contribution to UNIFIL should be seen as a sign of political support for the Lebanese government, Petersen noted. He observed that the deteriorating human rights situation in Zimbabwe presents a problem for the Portuguese, who are pressing for an EU-African summit by the end of the year and must manage the issue of Mugabe's invitation. ¶5. (C) The Danish government supports the draft text on economic cooperation for the U.S.-EU Summit, Petersen said, even as it would have preferred a more ambitious approach. The Danes are pleased with the level of detail on regulatory cooperation, he said, and welcome the establishment of a Transatlantic Economic Council. The draft on climate change is much too weak in Denmark's view, Petersen remarked, arguing that it should set high goals for reducing emissions and should focus more on renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power. Finally, Petersen stated that Denmark would prefer a much shorter, more focused summit declaration on political and security issues, commenting that the current draft has been loaded up with so many items that it now lacks any real impact. KAISER