Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE131264
2008-12-15 17:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

Secretary Rice's December 5, 2008 Meeting with

Tags:  OVIP RICE CONDOLEEZZA PREL DA 
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O 151717Z DEC 08
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C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 131264 


E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2018
TAGS: OVIP RICE CONDOLEEZZA PREL DA
SUBJECT: Secretary Rice's December 5, 2008 Meeting with
Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen

Classified by: Kenneth Merten, Deputy Executive
Secretary, S/ES, Department of State. Reason 1.4.(d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 131264


E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2018
TAGS: OVIP RICE CONDOLEEZZA PREL DA
SUBJECT: Secretary Rice's December 5, 2008 Meeting with
Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen

Classified by: Kenneth Merten, Deputy Executive
Secretary, S/ES, Department of State. Reason 1.4.(d)


1. (U) Participants:

U.S.
The Secretary
Ambassador James Cain
A/S Sean McCormack, PA
PDAS Marcie Ries, EUR
Damon Wilson, NSC Staff
John Rath (Embassy Note taker)

Denmark
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Prime Minister
Kirsten Dybvad, Permanent Secretary of State
Ulrik Federspiel, MFA Permanent Secretary
Friis Arne Petersen, Danish Ambassador to the U.S.
Thomas Ahrenkiel, Under Secretary of State
Kaspar Hoeg-Jensen, Head of PM Office
Lisbet Zilmer-Johns, PM Chief Advisor
Michael Ulveman, PM Press Advisor



2. (C) SUMMARY. Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh
Rasmussen told the Secretary that Denmark will continue
to partner with the United States to promote freedom in
Afghanistan. The Secretary briefed on her recent trip
to South Asia, stating that the success of our joint
efforts in Afghanistan depends greatly on the results of
our engagement with Pakistan's civilian government.
Rasmussen recounted talks with African leaders on
greater international community involvement to stabilize
Somalia and halt a possible nexus between terrorists and
pirates, and the Secretary floated the idea of Danish
participation in a possible Somalia Contact Group of
nations with maritime and other interests in the area.
Declaring that the EU must break its dependence on
imported oil, particularly Russian oil, Rasmussen
detailed Danish efforts to broker a new EU energy policy
approach. While the Secretary expressed optimism about
medium-term prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peace, she
cautioned that any attempt to divide Syria from Iran
should bear in mind that Syria is a tactical player.
END SUMMARY.

--------------
Afghanistan and Pakistan
--------------


3. (C) Rasmussen stated that the United States is a
"permanent ally" because U.S.-Danish friendship is based
on common values such as democracy and freedom, and
Denmark will continue to partner with the United States
to advance shared ideals in troubled places like
Afghanistan. He said the international community must
not fail in Afghanistan and that Denmark believes
Afghanistan needs more international troops and civilian
assistance, adding that Denmark has increased its

contribution of both in the past year. Rasmussen said
the allies should also do a better job of publicizing
our accomplishments in improving the lives of Afghan
citizens, and should do more to engage Pakistan to stop
the cross-border movement of fighters.


4. (C) After offering condolences over the recent
combat deaths of two Danish soldiers in Afghanistan, the
Secretary observed that Afghanistan is one of the
world's poorest nations and lacks natural resources and
the institutions of a modern state. Our common
challenge is to help Afghans build an army and develop
greater governmental capacity. Another common challenge
is to "get Pakistan right," since Pakistan's domestic
terror problem and the cross-border situation have a
major impact on Afghanistan. Last week's attacks in
Mumbai posed a threat to India-Pakistan relations, to
Afghanistan, and to the viability of Pakistan's elected
civilian government.


5. (C) In reply to the Prime Minister's questions about
her trip to India and Pakistan, the Secretary stated
that India does not want to take direct action against
Pakistan, but Indian leaders are facing a great deal of
public anger. As for Pakistan, the Secretary said she
had pressed Pakistan leaders privately to take
significant action against terrorism such as arresting
leaders of Lashkar-e-Taiba, closing terror training
camps, and disclosing information about future planned
attacks. She said Pakistani officials initially
characterized such groups and the Mumbai attackers as
non-state actors and demanded proof of linkage. The
United States provided such proof and is waiting for
Pakistan to take action.


6. (C) Rasmussen asked for an assessment of Pakistani
government stability, and the Secretary replied that the
civilian government has many problems but is not
teetering. Rather, its longer-term prospects depend on
its ability to break with a decades-long policy of state
support for terrorists. She said the Pakistani army
chief of staff told her the military would not intervene
in politics. In addition to getting a grip on domestic
terrorism and the cross-border situation, Pakistan's
leaders must also improve the economy. Rasmussen asked
if Denmark should increase its assistance to Pakistan.
The Secretary stated that the United States was
increasing its assistance, particularly in areas like
education, and that the United States and the Friends of
Pakistan should assuage the fears of Pakistan's elected
leaders that the international community will abandon
Pakistan as it has done in the past.

--------------
Somalia and Piracy
--------------


7. (C) Rasmussen noted that he had met recently with
Kenyan and Ethiopian leaders to discuss greater
international community engagement in Somalia, a failed
state that harbors terrorists and maritime pirates who
may make common cause if the international community
does not soon act. He said African nations are willing
to provide troops to an international peacekeeping
operation in Somalia, preferably under a UNSC mandate.
The Secretary replied that the United States also
supports such a mission, but UNDPKO has so far been
resistant. She added that the Security Council will
likely meet on December 16 to discuss Somalia and a
resolution that would clearly spell out authority to
arrest, try, and incarcerate pirates.


8. (C) The Secretary floated the idea of convening a
meeting prior to the UNSC discussion among foreign
ministers of a Contact Group of interested nations such
as Canada, Saudi Arabia, and others to frame the issues
for UNSC deliberation. Rasmussen replied that the
Contact Group idea was a good one and that Denmark was
eager to resolve legal and jurisdictional questions
regarding anti-piracy measures.

--------------
Russia
--------------


9. (C) Rasmussen stated that Denmark had been prepared
to support MAP status for Georgia and Ukraine at the
Bucharest summit and still supports the long-term goal
of their NATO membership. Denmark will focus on
practical steps to prepare the ground for membership in
a way that preserves NATO unity and deprives Russia of
an excuse for aggression. The Secretary agreed that
Russia sensed and sought to exploit division among NATO
countries in August. She stated that the best approach
is to allow the Georgia and Ukraine commissions to go
about their work and thus take pressure off NATO member
heads of state and foreign ministers to declare
positions on MAP status. Russia gained nothing but
isolation from its August aggression. This, along with
falling oil prices, has made Russia realize that it is
not doing very well. While the United Stastes, Denmark,
and other allies should work together to reinforce this
perception, we should also recognize that Russia will be
trouble for a long time.


10. (C) Referring to Russia as a "peculiar democracy,"
Rasmussen agreed with the Secretary's assessment. He
said that Denmark seeks to persuade fellow EU members to
stymie Russia's strategic goal of controlling the EU's
energy supply. Stating that the EU currently imports 80
percent of its oil from Russia and other sources -- a
percentage that will only increase in coming years --
Rasmussen said Denmark is making a major push for
announcement of a new EU energy policy approach at next
week's EU Summit. The new policy approach will seek to
reduce dependence on imported oil, and stress
conservation and development of alternative energy
sources. He said such a policy statement would send a
strong message to the rest of the world as Copenhagen
prepares to host the COP-15 conference next December.

--------------
Middle East
--------------


11. (C) Acknowledging that Israelis and Palestinians
will not complete a comprehensive peace agreement this
year, the Secretary expressed optimism that ongoing
negotiations may produce good results in the medium
term. Abu Mazen has made progress in building up
governmental and security capacity in the West Bank and,
with the continuing support of Arab states, will likely
defeat his Hamas rivals who are increasingly beset by
internal divisions. In reply to Rasmussen's query about
the prospects for a split between Syria and Iran, the
Secretary characterized Syria's government as a criminal
regime that keeps open all options in order to remain in
power. While we can try to separate Syria from Iran,
Syria has shown in Lebanon and elsewhere that it is a
tactical rather than strategic player. She stated that
any attempt to engage Syria should not come at the
expense of Lebanon or democratic Palestinian elements.

RICE