C O N F I D E N T I A L COPENHAGEN 000230

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/24/2018
TAGS: PREL GG RS DA
SUBJECT: DENMARK CONCERNED ABOUT RUSSIAN APPROACH ON
ABKHAZIA AND SOUTH OSSETIA

REF: STATE 40673

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

(C) The Danish government shares our concerns about Russia's
new presidential instructions and other moves on Abkhazia and
South Ossetia (reftel), Danish MFA Head of Department for
Eastern Europe Ruben Madsen assured us April 22. These
measures represent yet another step in Russia's aggressive
campaign, Ruben observed, and they must be firmly opposed.
Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moller earlier declared
publicly that the Russian action is "the price we are paying
for not extending MAP to Georgia," Madsen noted, indicating
that the foreign minister would take a tough stance on the
matter in scheduled consultations with the Danish parliament
and at the upcoming GAERC meeting with his EU counterparts.
At this point, however, Madsen could not pledge that the
Danes would demarche the Russians bilaterally.
CAIN