AMBASSADOR MEETS JUSTICE MINISTER, EXCHANGES

UNCLAS COPENHAGEN 000377

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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