Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08OSLO418
2008-07-25 14:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Oslo
Cable title:
NORWAY APPEARS TO SHARE USG CAUTION ON SYRIA'S
how-toVZCZCXYZ0018 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHNY #0418 2071440 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 251440Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY OSLO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6932 INFO RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS PRIORITY 0215
C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000418
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ELA ERICA MILLER AND STEPHEN NEWHOUSE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/25/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL SY LE EUN RS TU NO SW
SUBJECT: NORWAY APPEARS TO SHARE USG CAUTION ON SYRIA'S
RHETORIC
REF: STATE 78880
Classified By: Political Counselor Kristen Bauer for reasons 1.4 (b) an
d (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000418
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ELA ERICA MILLER AND STEPHEN NEWHOUSE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/25/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL SY LE EUN RS TU NO SW
SUBJECT: NORWAY APPEARS TO SHARE USG CAUTION ON SYRIA'S
RHETORIC
REF: STATE 78880
Classified By: Political Counselor Kristen Bauer for reasons 1.4 (b) an
d (d)
1. (C) Political Counselor and poloff delivered reftel
demarche to Jan Dybfest, acting director of the mid-east
section of the MFA. The Norwegian response to reftel
demarche was fundamentally consistent with USG policy toward
Syria.
2. (C) Significantly, Dybfest said that the GON had
considered welcoming Syria's decision to hold direct peace
talks with Israel, but ultimately decided not to do so.
Responding to the general tenor of reftel demarche, Dybfest
said that Norway did not have deep or substantial contacts
with the Syrian regime, that Norway tends to discuss only
regional issues with the SARG, that Norway regularly
criticizes Syria on human rights issues, that the
assassinations of anti-Syrian politicians in Lebanon are of
deep concern to Norway, and that the Syrian regime needed to
"prove" its good intentions through actions.
3. (C) COMMENT: Norway's attitude towards Syria, at least as
manifested in this meeting, was grounded in realism. While
Mr. Dybfest did make comments like "it will take time to
loosen their contacts with Iran" and "we are cautious but we
have to be positive," the overall message emboffs received
was that Norway is in a wait-and-see pattern. The MFA's
decision not to publicly congratulate Syria on talking peace
with Israel is significant and revealing. End comment.
JOHNSON
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ELA ERICA MILLER AND STEPHEN NEWHOUSE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/25/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL SY LE EUN RS TU NO SW
SUBJECT: NORWAY APPEARS TO SHARE USG CAUTION ON SYRIA'S
RHETORIC
REF: STATE 78880
Classified By: Political Counselor Kristen Bauer for reasons 1.4 (b) an
d (d)
1. (C) Political Counselor and poloff delivered reftel
demarche to Jan Dybfest, acting director of the mid-east
section of the MFA. The Norwegian response to reftel
demarche was fundamentally consistent with USG policy toward
Syria.
2. (C) Significantly, Dybfest said that the GON had
considered welcoming Syria's decision to hold direct peace
talks with Israel, but ultimately decided not to do so.
Responding to the general tenor of reftel demarche, Dybfest
said that Norway did not have deep or substantial contacts
with the Syrian regime, that Norway tends to discuss only
regional issues with the SARG, that Norway regularly
criticizes Syria on human rights issues, that the
assassinations of anti-Syrian politicians in Lebanon are of
deep concern to Norway, and that the Syrian regime needed to
"prove" its good intentions through actions.
3. (C) COMMENT: Norway's attitude towards Syria, at least as
manifested in this meeting, was grounded in realism. While
Mr. Dybfest did make comments like "it will take time to
loosen their contacts with Iran" and "we are cautious but we
have to be positive," the overall message emboffs received
was that Norway is in a wait-and-see pattern. The MFA's
decision not to publicly congratulate Syria on talking peace
with Israel is significant and revealing. End comment.
JOHNSON