DANISH FM MOELLER ASKS FOR HELP ON OVERFLIGHTS AND

S E C R E T COPENHAGEN 000332

SIPDIS
NOFORN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/09/2018
TAGS: PINR MARR DA
SUBJECT: DANISH FM MOELLER ASKS FOR HELP ON OVERFLIGHTS AND
INTERROGATION ISSUES

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Sandra Kaiser.
For reasons 1.4 (b, c, d),


1. (S/NF) Summary: In a May 27 meeting on the margins of
the Arctic Ocean Conference in Ilulissat, Greenland
(septels),FM Moeller asked Deputy Secretary Negroponte for
help with the Danish government's investigation into press
accounts of possible U.S. rendition flights through Danish
airspace. The Deputy Secretary noted that U.S. policy is not
to comment publicly on this issue, and suggested that U.S.
and Danish legal advisors meet to discuss the issue further.
End Summary.


2. (U) Background: The Deputy Secretary was accompanied in
this meeting by Ambassador Cain, OES A/S McMurray, Legal
Advisor Bellinger, D Special Assistant Wittenstein, and REO
Hall (note taker). Moeller was joined by MFA Legal Advisor
Peter Taksoe-Jensen; MFA Press Secretary Ulrik Vestergaard
Knudsen; FM Personal Secretary Nicolaj Petersen; and MFA
Arctic and Greenland Affairs Officer, Anja Bikram Jeffrey.


3. (S/NF) Moeller recalled previous official assurances that
the U.S. had not violated Danish rules or international law,
but said new press accounts and parliamentary pressure
required a public affirmation from the U.S. and clarification
about specific flights.


4. (S/NF) The Deputy Secretary recommended that legal
advisors from both governments meet to discuss this issue,
while noting that standard U.S. policy is not to comment
publicly. FM Moeller indicated that he understood the
dilemma facing the U.S., particularly with respect to other
countries who have asked for similar assurances, but he
emphasized that Denmark needs answers to its questions.
Moeller remarked, however, that the Danish government is
prepared to work with the U.S. on which questions to ask.
The Deputy Secretary again suggested that the matter be
addressed by legal advisors.


5. (C) Moeller then raised Danish concerns about
interrogation techniques used against terror suspects,
reminding the Deputy Secretary of Denmark's opposition to the
practice of "waterboarding." The Deputy Secretary stated
that waterboarding had only been used in the limited
instances described publicly by the Director of the Central
Intelligence Agency and that it is not one of the approved
techniques today. Moeller asked whether he could say
publicly that he had been informed that the U.S. currently
does not use this technique, and the Deputy Secretary replied
that he could.


6. (U) The Deputy Secretary's party has reviewed this cable.

CAIN