Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09COPENHAGEN470
2009-10-22 08:47:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Copenhagen
Cable title:
GAERC DEMARCHE: DENMARK'S RESPONSE
how-toVZCZCXRO6764 PP RUEHAG RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR DE RUEHCP #0470/01 2950847 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 220847Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5262 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES PRIORITY RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PRIORITY 0002 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO PRIORITY 0105 RUEHRY/AMEMBASSY CONAKRY PRIORITY 0001 RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS PRIORITY 0118 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 0808 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0086 RUEHLJ/AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA PRIORITY 0239 RUEHPS/AMEMBASSY PRISTINA PRIORITY 0025 RUEHVJ/AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO PRIORITY 0039 RUEHSQ/AMEMBASSY SKOPJE PRIORITY 0097 RUEHNT/AMEMBASSY TASHKENT PRIORITY 0001 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 1311 RUEHVB/AMEMBASSY ZAGREB PRIORITY 0295 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COPENHAGEN 000470
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/NB, NEA, SCA, AF
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2019
TAGS: PREL MARR EAID KPAL AF PK IR IS ZL DA GV
UZ, SY
SUBJECT: GAERC DEMARCHE: DENMARK'S RESPONSE
REF: A. EMAIL FROM WILLIAM LUCAS 10/18/2009
B. EMAIL FROM ELIZABETH KONICK 10/17/2009
Classified By: (U) Ambassador Laurie S. Fulton; reason 1.4 (b, d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COPENHAGEN 000470
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/NB, NEA, SCA, AF
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2019
TAGS: PREL MARR EAID KPAL AF PK IR IS ZL DA GV
UZ, SY
SUBJECT: GAERC DEMARCHE: DENMARK'S RESPONSE
REF: A. EMAIL FROM WILLIAM LUCAS 10/18/2009
B. EMAIL FROM ELIZABETH KONICK 10/17/2009
Classified By: (U) Ambassador Laurie S. Fulton; reason 1.4 (b, d)
1. (C) Lars Bo Larsen, MFA's European Correspondent,
welcomed the USG's demarche ahead of the October GAERC and
offered the following response October 20:
- Afghanistan/Pakistan: the EU wanted to agree on a
comprehensive strategy this month, but the Afghan elections
are not yet over and the outcome will inevitably affect the
strategy. The October GAERC intends to "signal a
strengthened effort." For its part, Denmark "would have
wanted more coordination with the USG"; agrees on the
importance of EUPOL; and is trying to find "more new money
for Pakistan." Larsen perceived a "decreasing impact" of the
Af/Pak envoys and the Friends of Democratic Pakistan.
- Western Balkans: this issue will not attract much interest
at the October GAERC, as we all await the parties' reaction
to the joint EU-US approach from the previous week.
- Mideast: "There is nothing happening" in the peace
process. The EU members were split in their response to the
Goldstone Report. Syria was to have signed an agreement with
the EU on the margins of the GAERC but is now seeking
postponement; Denmark is pushing the agreement and expects it
to be signed at the end of this year. Denmark understands
that FM Moallem wants to sign but faces reluctance from other
regime elements.
2. (C) Besides the items mentioned by the USG, Larsen cited
the following matters on the agenda:
- Sri Lanka: Denmark asked for a discussion, concerned about
the plight of over 250,000 IDPs living in what "look like
internment camps." An EU report this week will say Sri Lanka
does not meet the criteria for continuing to enjoy customs
preferences (GATT),but Larsen expected the Council would
wait until the November GAERC before taking a position that
would start a six-month period during which Sri Lanka would
have to improve or lose its preferences. Denmark welcomes
the recent USG visits to Sri Lanka and is keen on continued
transatlantic coordination. There are about 12-15,000 Sri
Lankan Tamil immigrants in Denmark; the LTTE has been less
heavy-handed here than in Norway and Sweden.
- Guinea: the authorities' behavior has been "unacceptable."
Larsen expected the GAERC to impose travel restrictions on
the leadership, and perhaps a weapons embargo.
- Uzbekistan: Larsen expected the GAERC to adopt without
discussion a position that will allow the post-Andijan
sanctions to expire and send a clear message that the EU
foresees a need for intensified dialogue on human rights.
The EU position will be reviewed in spring 2010.
3. (C/NF) Iran will be discussed at the Foreign Ministers'
dinner Monday evening (October 26),Larsen said. At
Denmark's suggestion, the September GAERC decided to
commission an analysis of possible sanctions and their likely
effectiveness in light of the fact that Iran is shifting its
trade away from Europe. That analysis is not proceeding as
fast as Denmark wants, and FM Per Stig Moeller will stress
the need to complete it and discuss it by December. Larsen
(protect) confided that Spain, Belgium, Greece and Sweden
(the EU Presidency) are reluctant. He said Swedish FM Bildt
in particular has theoretical concerns about the effectivenss
of sanctions in general, and the Council Secretariat worries
that sanctions are a "one-shot weapon" - what if you impose
them and they do not have the desired effect?
Minimize considered.
COPENHAGEN 00000470 002 OF 002
FULTON
NOFORN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/ERA, EUR/NB, NEA, SCA, AF
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2019
TAGS: PREL MARR EAID KPAL AF PK IR IS ZL DA GV
UZ, SY
SUBJECT: GAERC DEMARCHE: DENMARK'S RESPONSE
REF: A. EMAIL FROM WILLIAM LUCAS 10/18/2009
B. EMAIL FROM ELIZABETH KONICK 10/17/2009
Classified By: (U) Ambassador Laurie S. Fulton; reason 1.4 (b, d)
1. (C) Lars Bo Larsen, MFA's European Correspondent,
welcomed the USG's demarche ahead of the October GAERC and
offered the following response October 20:
- Afghanistan/Pakistan: the EU wanted to agree on a
comprehensive strategy this month, but the Afghan elections
are not yet over and the outcome will inevitably affect the
strategy. The October GAERC intends to "signal a
strengthened effort." For its part, Denmark "would have
wanted more coordination with the USG"; agrees on the
importance of EUPOL; and is trying to find "more new money
for Pakistan." Larsen perceived a "decreasing impact" of the
Af/Pak envoys and the Friends of Democratic Pakistan.
- Western Balkans: this issue will not attract much interest
at the October GAERC, as we all await the parties' reaction
to the joint EU-US approach from the previous week.
- Mideast: "There is nothing happening" in the peace
process. The EU members were split in their response to the
Goldstone Report. Syria was to have signed an agreement with
the EU on the margins of the GAERC but is now seeking
postponement; Denmark is pushing the agreement and expects it
to be signed at the end of this year. Denmark understands
that FM Moallem wants to sign but faces reluctance from other
regime elements.
2. (C) Besides the items mentioned by the USG, Larsen cited
the following matters on the agenda:
- Sri Lanka: Denmark asked for a discussion, concerned about
the plight of over 250,000 IDPs living in what "look like
internment camps." An EU report this week will say Sri Lanka
does not meet the criteria for continuing to enjoy customs
preferences (GATT),but Larsen expected the Council would
wait until the November GAERC before taking a position that
would start a six-month period during which Sri Lanka would
have to improve or lose its preferences. Denmark welcomes
the recent USG visits to Sri Lanka and is keen on continued
transatlantic coordination. There are about 12-15,000 Sri
Lankan Tamil immigrants in Denmark; the LTTE has been less
heavy-handed here than in Norway and Sweden.
- Guinea: the authorities' behavior has been "unacceptable."
Larsen expected the GAERC to impose travel restrictions on
the leadership, and perhaps a weapons embargo.
- Uzbekistan: Larsen expected the GAERC to adopt without
discussion a position that will allow the post-Andijan
sanctions to expire and send a clear message that the EU
foresees a need for intensified dialogue on human rights.
The EU position will be reviewed in spring 2010.
3. (C/NF) Iran will be discussed at the Foreign Ministers'
dinner Monday evening (October 26),Larsen said. At
Denmark's suggestion, the September GAERC decided to
commission an analysis of possible sanctions and their likely
effectiveness in light of the fact that Iran is shifting its
trade away from Europe. That analysis is not proceeding as
fast as Denmark wants, and FM Per Stig Moeller will stress
the need to complete it and discuss it by December. Larsen
(protect) confided that Spain, Belgium, Greece and Sweden
(the EU Presidency) are reluctant. He said Swedish FM Bildt
in particular has theoretical concerns about the effectivenss
of sanctions in general, and the Council Secretariat worries
that sanctions are a "one-shot weapon" - what if you impose
them and they do not have the desired effect?
Minimize considered.
COPENHAGEN 00000470 002 OF 002
FULTON