(C) NORWAY "UNCOMFORTABLE" WITH CO-SPONSORING

S E C R E T OSLO 000343 SIPDIS FOR S/CT TARA DROZDENKO AND BRIAN PHIPPS, IO/PSC ERIN CROWE AND AF/E NOLE GAREY E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/20/2018 TAGS: PTER ASEC PREL PGOV KCRM SO BG NO SUBJECT: (C) NORWAY "UNCOMFORTABLE" WITH CO-SPONSORING AL-SHABAAB UNSCR 1267 DESIGNATION REF: STATE 61215 Classified By: Political Counselor Kristen Bauer for reasons 1.4 (b) an d (d) ¶1. (S) SUMMARY: According to MFA officials, Norway will not co-sponsor UN 1267 designation of Al-Shabaab due to a fear that it will be perceived as an attempt by the Norwegian executive branch of government to influence the judiciary. Despite this decision, there seemed to be some enthusiasm within the MFA for such a listing. End Summary. ¶2. (S) Poloff met with Martin Sorby, Deputy Director General of the MFA Section for International Law, and Anniken Enersen, Advisor. In a frank discussion for which it was deemed by the Norwegians "essential to have a face to face meeting," Sorby said that multiple agencies of the GON had given "serious and thorough consideration" to our request for co-sponsorship of this 1267 listing, but ultimately decided that it would be impossible to do so for domestic political reasons. ¶3. (S) Sorby said that the ongoing investigation of three men of Somali extraction by the Norwegian judiciary presented separation of powers concerns, and said that the MFA decided it would be "inappropriate" and "uncomfortable" to co-sponsor the listing of Al-Shabaab. At the same time, Sorby clarified that Norway would "by no means" have any objection to such a listing. ¶4. (SBU) Three persons were arrested in Norway on the 28th of February 2008 for charges in connection with collecting money for Al-Shabaab. Two were released almost immediately, while the third was released June 16. Investigations are ongoing, and suspects were released because under Norwegian law they could not be held after the police determined that there was no danger that evidence to be used in the case could be destroyed. ¶5. (S) As Poloff was being walked to the door of the MFA, Ms. Enersen asked several questions to attempt to determine why the USG was choosing this moment to attempt to list Al-Shabaab. Poloff commented generally on Al-Shabaab's disruptive impact in Somalia. One of Enersen's questions indicated curiosity about whether our decision had anything to do with the arrests in Norway and Sweden. Her parting comment was, "If this designation occurs, it will have quite an impact here." ¶6. (S) COMMENT: This is an issue which Norway appears to take seriously, which is unsurprising given its interest in the situation in Somalia. The GON's refusal to take the lead on this 1267 listing may reflect a belief that it will pass regardless, and therefore the internal political repercussions are avoidable. End Comment. WHITNEY