DANISH GOVERNMENT AVOIDS PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY ON

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 COPENHAGEN 000050

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/NB

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/07/2018
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV DA
SUBJECT: DANISH GOVERNMENT AVOIDS PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY ON
CIA FLIGHTS

REF: COPENHAGEN 38

Classified By: Ambassador James P. Cain, reasons 1.4b,d


1. (S/NF) Summary: The Danish parliament voted February 7 to
support a government internal review of alleged CIA flights
through Danish airspace (reftel),rather than establish an
independent investigation as demanded by opposition and
Greenlandic officials. Foreign Minister Per Stig Moller and
Justice Minister Lene Espersen signaled that the government
takes seriously the issues raised by the recent documentary,
while stating that U.S. assurances about torture and respect
for sovereignty remain in effect and that Danish intelligence
has no knowledge of alleged CIA operations here. Our
exchanges with senior Danish MFA officials indicate that the
government, though concerned, believes the issue can be
managed and that conversations with us here and in Washington
have been helpful. For now, no further response --
particularly public -- is sought from us. End summary.


2. (S/NF) In preparation for February 6 parliamentary debate
on allegations of CIA flights transiting Greenland,
ostensibly as part of renditions operations, the Danish
government spoke with us to draw out a confirmation of
earlier U.S. assurances on torture, respect for sovereignty
and adherence to international legal conventions. MFA U/S
Michael Zilmer-Johns explained to the DCM that Danish
Ambassador Friis Arne Petersen's call to EUR PDAS Volker was
part of that effort, allowing FM Moller to inform parliament
that the government had discussed the issue with us.
Zilmer-Johns noted pointedly that Ambassador Petersen had not
been instructed, however, to ask us for additional public
comment, observing that U.S. public statements could hinder
Danish efforts to quiet the controversy. Significantly, the
MFA reportedly also demarched other EU governments on their
own handling of the renditions issue, suggesting a nascent
effort to coordinate approaches.


3. (S) In a rare departure from practice on intelligence
matters (usually discussed in closed session),Justice
Minister Espersen during the debate read a statement from
Danish intelligence (PET) stating that it had no knowledge of
CIA flights. The PET, she said, "does not recognize" media
accounts suggesting that it had advance knowledge of such
activities from the U.S. or that it had somehow sanctioned
them. Prior to this, Danish authorities sought to sound us
out, in liaison channels, about any specific information we
might have shared with them previously. In her remarks,
Espersen ruled out any stepped-up inspections of transiting
aircraft -- as proposed by the Greenlanders -- stating that
all such inspections must adhere to existing rules mandating
probable cause.


4. (SBU) In response to these declarations, the Danish
opposition withdrew its proposal for an independent
investigation and allowed an alternative,
government-sponsored measure to pass unopposed. The final
resolution states that, "The Folketing (parliament)
determines that Danish, Greenlandic or Faroese territory must
not be used in violation of international conventions. The
Folketing notes with satisfaction that the Government, in
cooperation with Greenland and the Faroe Islands, will review
new information to the effect that CIA flights have been
conducted in Danish and Greenlandic territory, and will
assume contact with the American authorities in this
respect."


5. (S/NF) Comment: Though accustomed to dealing with this
issue (accepting our general assurances, not pressing on
details, and seeking to manage the domestic politics as
quietly as possible),the Danish government in this case
feels especially pressed because of the Greenlandic
dimension. The Greenlanders, currently embroiled in
negotiations with the government over sharing of oil and gas
revenue, may have other reasons for pushing the renditions
issue, but -- whatever their motivation -- the Greenlanders'
protestations represent a new and uncertain element. The
upcoming visit of Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen to
Crawford has also raised the anxiety level for the Danes;
indeed, the issue may show up on the prime minister's agenda,
if only so he will be able to say that he raised it with the
President. Today's vote should ease that apprehension. The
CIA flights issue is one that will perhaps never go away
entirely, but the government's success in calming the critics
and avoiding an independent inquiry should give the Danes
some breathing room for now.

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