NORWAY RELUCTANT TO APPROVE GAZA SMUGGLING

C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000159 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/11/2019 TAGS: EG KPAL MARR PREL NO SUBJECT: NORWAY RELUCTANT TO APPROVE GAZA SMUGGLING INTERDICTION PROGRAM OF ACTION REF: STATE 20406 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Kevin M. Johnson for reasons 1.4 b and d ¶1. (C) The GON has not yet decided if they can accept the program of action or even if they will attend the March 13 London meeting. The GON's stated concern is the need under Norwegian law for a legal basis for the actions outlined in the program of action. This may be a uniquely Norwegian concern due to the fact that Norway does not maintain a list of terrorist organizations but instead relies on UN resolutions for the necessary legal underpinnings. The MFA is reviewing UN resolutions (particularly UNSCR 1860) to see if they will suffice and will present its recommendation to FM Stoere March 10, after a video meeting between legal experts from participating countries. ¶2. (C) Comment: Embassy Oslo believes that the stated concerns are real but only a small part of the dilemma that the Gaza interdiction effort presents for the GON. Reluctant to be left out of any significant Middle Eastern initiative but at the same time not willing to accept the isolation of Hamas, the GON is torn. Broadly speaking, the GON is clearly concerned that joining the interdiction effort would harm their cooperation and ties with Hamas. These ties are very important to the GON (and to FM Stoere himself) and their (his) desire to serve as a peace negotiator. The GON would also strongly prefer to be involved in the humanitarian aspects and not a military interdiction effort. Whether or not Norway participates in the London meeting will be determined by the FM himself in the next few days. We consider it likely that Norway attends the conference but considerably more in question whether they will accept the program of action. End Comment. WHITNEY