Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07COPENHAGEN383
2007-04-19 14:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Copenhagen
Cable title:  

DANISH VIEWS ON APRIL 23-24 EU GAERC MINISTERIAL

Tags:  PREL PGOV ECON EUN DA 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0679
PP RUEHAG RUEHROV
DE RUEHCP #0383 1091435
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 191435Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3411
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES
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

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