C O N F I D E N T I A L COPENHAGEN 000385


NOFORN

STATE FOR EUR/RPM, EUR/NB, EUR/CE, SCA
NSC FOR JEFF HOVENIER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2019
TAGS: PREL MARR AF DA GE
SUBJECT: (C) AFGHANISTAN: DANES WORRIED ABOUT FALLOUT OF
AIR STRIKE

Classified By: (U) Ambassador Laurie S. Fulton; reason 1.4 (b, d)


1. (C/NF) The Prime Minister's foreign policy advisor
Thomas Ahrenkiel called the Ambassador September 10 to
register his Government's deep worry about Afghanistan in the
wake of the air strike on hijacked tankers. Noting that he
had spoken with his German counterpart, he said this incident
could become a serious issue in the German elections
(September 27) and make it more difficult for Germany to
increase its engagement in Afghanistan. Denmark's key
message was that "from a European perspective," we need to
avoid arguing in public: "this public discussion between
commanders is not helpful."


2. (C) That Ahrenkiel called - twice - while en route to
India with the Prime Minister indicates the importance to the
Danish Government of making its concern known to the USG
without delay.


FULTON