DENMARK ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT U.S.-GERMAN CFE

C O N F I D E N T I A L COPENHAGEN 000171 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/RPM, EUR/NB E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2018 TAGS: PREL NATO KCFE MARR RS DA SUBJECT: DENMARK ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT U.S.-GERMAN CFE STATEMENT REF: STATE 30484 Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Bill Mozdzierz, reasons 1.4b,d ¶1. (C) Denmark warmly welcomes the joint U.S.-German draft CFE statement (reftel),Danish MFA officials told us and the German defense attache March 26, hailing the initiative as a significant step forward in uniting the Alliance on this issue. Jakob Nielsen of the Danish MFA's Security Policy Department recalled how far we have come in overcoming earlier divisions within NATO, and applauded both the U.S. and Germany for the flexibility and leadership we have shown in bridging differences. For Denmark, Nielsen and colleague Anne Jensen emphasized, such unity is paramount. "I cannot imagine that Denmark would not support whatever the U.S. and Germany could agree to in this area," Nielsen declared. ¶2. (C) Nielsen noted that the 2 2 process offers some hope for a new strategic understanding between the U.S. and Russia, and said that the Danish leadership looks forward to additional insights into that dynamic when Secretary Gates visits Copenhagen next week. Nielsen commented that Russian behavior to date suggests that Moscow is stalling for time, until after U.S. elections, but he indicated that Denmark will welcome and support any ongoing efforts to improve the relationship. CAIN