AMBASSADOR MEETS JUSTICE MINISTER, EXCHANGES

UNCLAS COPENHAGEN 000377 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/NB, L, INL DOJ FOR OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS PARIS FOR TSA - ANNE MARIE PELLERIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV KCRM DA SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS JUSTICE MINISTER, EXCHANGES INSTRUMENTS OF RATIFICATION ON MLAT AND EXTRADITION (U) SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PROTECT ACCORDINGLY. NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION. ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Ambassador Fulton's first meeting with Justice Minister Brian Mikkelsen highlighted the close cooperation and warm feelings between the two governments; the impending first-ever extradition to the U.S. from Denmark of a Danish citizen; the U.S. desire to use Federal Air Marshals on U.S-flag flights to/from Copenhagen; possible high-level U.S. visits this fall; and the U.S. desire for advance information on suspicious Danish travelers to the U.S. After the meeting, the Ambassador and the Minister signed Protocols of Exchange of Instruments of Ratification and exchanged Instruments of Ratification of two agreements, on extradition and mutual legal assistance. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) Ambassador Fulton, accompanied by Legat and PoleconCouns (notetaker),paid an introductory call on Justice Minister Brian Mikkelsen September 1. Participating alongside the Minister were Deputy Permanent Secretary Ole Hafflegaard, International Division Head Carsten Vollmer, and Minister's Secretary Karoline Normann. Mikkelsen stressed his longstanding friendship towards the United States - "our closest ally, our closest friend" - and praised the excellent bilateral cooperation on intelligence and police matters. He asserted that "there are no misunderstandings or disagreements" with the U.S. The Ambassador noted her deep family and personal connection to Denmark and expressed appreciation for the GOD's strong cooperation. ¶3. (SBU) EXTRADITION: The Ambassador raised the impending extradition to the U.S. of Danish citizen Camilla Broe, which, the Minister noted, would be a first. It was a sensitive domestic issue, he said: he was receiving over 100 letters a day. He attributed much of the opposition to the misapprehension that Broe was being held under anti-terrorism provisions. In fact, he noted, those provisions apply also to criminal activities, and the charges she faces are serious: they could bring a sentence of 16 years under Danish law - the highest sentence except life imprisonment. The Minister said he had defended the extradition in Parliament, assuring members that the U.S. would give Broe a fair trail. Vollmer expressed thanks for the hard work of the U.S. side to meet Denmark's legal requirements in the case. The Minister stressed the importance of completing the extradition by September 4, and the Ambassador assured him that the USG was on track to meet that deadline. If any problem should arise, she added, "call me first." ¶4. (SBU) Mikkelsen recalled a past instance of legal cooperation with the USG in which an international pedophile had been caught. He noted that U.S. sentences tend to be longer than those in Nordic countries. ¶5. (SBU) FEDERAL AIR MARSHALS: The Ambassador said a DHS Assistant Secretary wants to visit September 14 to press for Danish authorization to use U.S. Federal Air Marshals on U.S.-flag carrier flights to/from Copenhagen. She underscored that FAMs are federal law-enforcement officers and that we have similar arrangements with several other EU member states, and a history of successful implementation both at home and abroad. Perhaps a pilot project could be agreed initially - after all, we expect many high-level U.S. visitors to Copenhagen this fall. Mikkelsen said the issue was sensitive domestically, but the Assistant Secretary would be "very welcome in MOJ" and "listened to attentively"; he would try to meet with him personally. ¶6. (SBU) HIGH-LEVEL VISITORS: Mikkelsen asked about the chances of President Obama coming to Copenhagen for the International Olympic Committee session in October and COP-15 in December. The Ambassador said she is encouraging the President to come for both events. He is committed to achieving agreement at COP-15, and working very hard both internationally and domestically (to get the best possible climate/energy legislation through Congress). On the IOC, The Ambassador said the President loves Chicago and wants it to get the 2016 games; she thought that if he came, it would be a very late call depending on the domestic agenda. Mikkelsen, a former minister of youth and sports, said he was convinced the President's charisma could be decisive, as Tony Blair's had been for London 2012. ¶7. (SBU) ADVANCE INFORMATION ON TRAVELERS: The Ambassador raised the U.S. desire to obtain advance information on certain Danish travelers to the United States, particularly their criminal history. Legat explained that while PET has been very cooperative, the National Police says it cannot by law provide criminal history on a potential traveler. He stressed that the request would apply only to certain individuals of concern, not everyone. The Minister promised to look into the matter. Haffelgaard thought Danish law permitted such information-sharing where there is a specific reason, and promised to speak with the head of the National Police. Vollmer offered to take the matter up also in connection with the "very good" dialogue with the USG on the Visa Waiver Program. ¶8. (U) EXCHANGE OF INSTRUMENTS OF RATIFICATION: After the meeting, the Ambassador and Minister exchanged Instruments of Ratification of two bilateral agreements, on extradition and mutual legal assistance. They both signed Protocols of Exchange of Instruments of Ratification, in duplicate (each retaining one original). Post will forward these documents to Washington. FULTON