Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08COPENHAGEN53
2008-02-08 07:48:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Copenhagen
Cable title:
DENMARK SUPPORTS EU STATEMENT ON SYRIAN DETENTIONS
how-toVZCZCXRO2835 OO RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHCP #0053 0390748 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 080748Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4048 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES PRIORITY RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS PRIORITY 0115
C O N F I D E N T I A L COPENHAGEN 000053
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/PI, NEA/ELA AND EUR/NB
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2018
TAGS: PREL PHUM KMPI SY DA
SUBJECT: DENMARK SUPPORTS EU STATEMENT ON SYRIAN DETENTIONS
REF: STATE 11025
Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Bill Mozdzierz, reasons 1.4b,d
C O N F I D E N T I A L COPENHAGEN 000053
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/PI, NEA/ELA AND EUR/NB
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2018
TAGS: PREL PHUM KMPI SY DA
SUBJECT: DENMARK SUPPORTS EU STATEMENT ON SYRIAN DETENTIONS
REF: STATE 11025
Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Bill Mozdzierz, reasons 1.4b,d
1. (C) The Danish government backs French efforts to secure
an EU Presidency statement condemning Syrian detention of
Riad Seif and other democracy activists, Danish MFA acting
Middle East head Steen Norlov told us February 6. Noting
that Syrian action followed the recent visit of the Dutch
foreign minister to Damascus (whose trip, Norlov said, came
as a surprise to many),Norlov characterized Danish
engagement with democracy and human rights activists in Syria
as a balancing act between demonstrating public support and
avoiding exposure of the activists to official retaliation.
With Seif and the other Damascus Declaration National Council
detainees, Norlov agreed that a forceful public statement can
only help.
2. (C) Asked about upcoming travel by Danish officials to
Syria, Norlov reported that Danish Minister for Development
Cooperation Ulla Tornaes plans to travel there February
21-22, but stressed that her mission will be humanitarian,
not political, in nature. Tornaes will visit Syria and
Jordan to review Danish assistance in support of Iraqi
refugees in those countries, Norlov said. He pledged to
ensure that Tornaes is fully briefed on the detentions and
prepared to raise these cases in the (unlikely, he thought)
event that she meets with political leaders while in Damascus.
CAIN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/PI, NEA/ELA AND EUR/NB
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2018
TAGS: PREL PHUM KMPI SY DA
SUBJECT: DENMARK SUPPORTS EU STATEMENT ON SYRIAN DETENTIONS
REF: STATE 11025
Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Bill Mozdzierz, reasons 1.4b,d
1. (C) The Danish government backs French efforts to secure
an EU Presidency statement condemning Syrian detention of
Riad Seif and other democracy activists, Danish MFA acting
Middle East head Steen Norlov told us February 6. Noting
that Syrian action followed the recent visit of the Dutch
foreign minister to Damascus (whose trip, Norlov said, came
as a surprise to many),Norlov characterized Danish
engagement with democracy and human rights activists in Syria
as a balancing act between demonstrating public support and
avoiding exposure of the activists to official retaliation.
With Seif and the other Damascus Declaration National Council
detainees, Norlov agreed that a forceful public statement can
only help.
2. (C) Asked about upcoming travel by Danish officials to
Syria, Norlov reported that Danish Minister for Development
Cooperation Ulla Tornaes plans to travel there February
21-22, but stressed that her mission will be humanitarian,
not political, in nature. Tornaes will visit Syria and
Jordan to review Danish assistance in support of Iraqi
refugees in those countries, Norlov said. He pledged to
ensure that Tornaes is fully briefed on the detentions and
prepared to raise these cases in the (unlikely, he thought)
event that she meets with political leaders while in Damascus.
CAIN