Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08COPENHAGEN339
2008-06-11 11:28:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Copenhagen
Cable title:  

DEPUTY SECRETARY'S MEETING WITH GREENLANDIC

Tags:  PGOV PREL SENV KGHG DA 
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FM AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4309
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEHC/DEPT OF INTERIOR WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE
RUEHHE/AMEMBASSY HELSINKI 3855
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1399
RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO 5519
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 2559
RUEHRK/AMEMBASSY REYKJAVIK 0447
RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM 8953
RHMFISS/12SWS THULE AB GL
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COPENHAGEN 000339 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL SENV KGHG DA
SUBJECT: DEPUTY SECRETARY'S MEETING WITH GREENLANDIC
PREMIER ENOKSEN

Classified By: Regional Environmental Officer Erik Hall.
For reasons 1.4 (b&d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COPENHAGEN 000339

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL SENV KGHG DA
SUBJECT: DEPUTY SECRETARY'S MEETING WITH GREENLANDIC
PREMIER ENOKSEN

Classified By: Regional Environmental Officer Erik Hall.
For reasons 1.4 (b&d).


1. (C) Summary: In a respectful but serious bilateral
meeting following the Arctic Ocean Conference in Ilulissat,
Greenland, Greenland Home Rule (GHR) Premier Hans Enoksen
expressed concern to Deputy Secretary Negroponte about the
U.S. listing of the polar bear as a threatened species. The
Greenlanders emphasized the negative effects of the ruling on
Greenlandic traditional culture, which shares with Inuit
cultures throughout the Arctic a respect for nature and
sustainable harvests of native wildlife. The Deputy
Secretary explained that the decision had already been taken,
and had been entirely science-based, under U.S. law. He
suggested that U.S. scientists share their evaluation of
world polar bear populations with Greenlandic scientists.
OES A/S McMurray explained that the decision would not affect
Greenland, since it does not export polar bear products to
the United States or conduct commercial hunting. The
Greenlanders emphasized their disagreement with the listing
nevertheless, but welcomed the opportunity to exchange
scientific information. They also expressed appreciation for
U.S. engagement with Greenland under the
U.S.-Denmark-Greenland Joint Committee. End Summary.


2. (SBU) Background: The May 28 meeting, after the
conclusion of the Arctic Ocean Conference in Ilulissat,
Greenland, came at Greenland's request. The Deputy Secretary
was accompanied in this meeting by Ambassador Cain, OES A/S
McMurray, Department Legal Advisor Bellinger, D Special
Assistant Wittenstein, and REO Hall (note-taker). Premier
Enoksen was accompanied by Finance and Foreign Minister Aleqa
HAMMOND; Deputy FM Inuteq Holm Olsen; Mikaela Engell, Danish
MFA Deputy Head of Department; and an interpreter.

Polar Bear Listing
--------------


3. (C) After expressing appreciation for improved relations
with the U.S. over the past few years, Premier Enoksen said
he hoped that relationship would continue to improve.
Nevertheless, Enoksen said the GHR government disagreed with
the recent U.S. decision to list polar bears as a threatened

species. Enoksen emphasized he intended to share this
concern "in a friendly manner" and "without an aggressive
tone in disagreement." Polar bears are a part of Greenlandic
culture, he said, and "we make our living with whales, seals,
polar bear, and they are crucial to us." A strict quota of
130 polar bears per year is imposed on Greenlandic hunters,
who are concentrated in isolated indigenous communities which
use the meat for their own subsistence. No bears with cubs
can be killed. Other quotas exist on the beluga and narwhal
whales, as well as birds. Hunters complain the bear quota is
too low, he said. A growing population of well-fed bears are
visiting our towns, he added.


4. (C) The Deputy Secretary told Enoksen that Secretary of
the Interior Kempthorne had based his decision strictly on
scientific evidence, and the decision was certainly not
intended to complicate U.S. relations with Greenland. A/S
McMurray explained that under U.S. law, the decision was
based exclusively on an evaluation of scientific evidence.
Before making the decision, Sec. Kempthorne had convened a
meeting of polar bear range states, including scientists from
Greenland. Greenlandic subsistence hunting should not be
directly affected by the listing, since Greenlandic polar
bear products are not exported to the United States. She
suggested scientific cooperation to study the polar bear
population in Greenland. The Deputy Secretary asked the
Premier what he would do in our position, with scientific
evidence that the polar bear population is endangered
worldwide. Enoksen recommended a strict management regime,
saying that Greenlanders have hunted the bear for thousands
of years, and wants to ensure their survival for generations
to come.


5. (C) FM HAMMOND expressed great respect for scientific
evidence, and said Greenlandic biologists from the Institute
of Natural Resources did not consider the bear to be
endangered but growing in population. She said it was
important to keep in mind the human dimension. Polar bear
meat is crucial to some isolated Greenlandic communities,

COPENHAGEN 00000339 002 OF 002


where alternatives do not exist.


6. (C) The Deputy Secretary suggested that it might be
useful for Greenlandic and U.S. scientists to share their
data, to increase understanding for the basis of the U.S.
decision. FM HAMMOND welcomed dialogue with the U.S.; she
also noted that the U.S. decision was featured prominently in
the Greenlandic press. The Deputy Secretary affirmed that
the U.S. decision had already been made, but expressed a
willingness to manage the issue to increase understanding, in
a spirit of friendship.

Appreciation for U.S. Engagement with Greenland
-------------- --


7. (C) Enoksen thanked the Deputy Secretary for listening to
Greenland's concerns, and expressed appreciation for the
recent meeting of the U.S.-Denmark-Greenland Joint Committee
in Washington. He expressed gratitude to Ambassador Cain for
"his efforts as a fantastic facilitator and door opener for
Greenland." The Deputy Secretary concluded the meeting
saying the U.S. would "keep looking for ways to deepen the
(bilateral) relationship."

Comment
--------------


8. (C) Greenlandic concerns regarding the polar bear were
clearly rooted in domestic debate caused by press coverage of
the recent U.S. announcement. It also reflected Greenlandic
concern over what is sometimes perceived as a lack of concern
for indigenous communities, traditions. Greenlanders
believe indigenous hunting practices have been and still are
sustainable, and contrast their approach to that of larger
industrial nations that have hunted some species of whale,
for example, to near-extinction. Greenlanders reject
decisions they perceive as stigmatizing traditional
indigenous culture, and complain that decisions on marine
mammal management are sometimes taken without what they feel
to be adequate consultation. Greenland's unease may also be
reflected in the narrative here that Canada came to a
different conclusion on the polar bear after taking
indigenous concerns into account.


9. (U) The Deputy Secretary's party reviewed this cable.
CAIN