Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09OSLO83
2009-01-26 06:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Oslo
Cable title:
NORWAY HESITATING TO COMMIT TO GAZA INTERDICTION
how-toO 260625Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY OSLO TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7313 INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY CAIRO IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY MADRID IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY PARIS IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY ROME IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000083
PASS TO P: CNICOLAIDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2019
TAGS: EG KPAL MARR MOPS PREL XG NO
SUBJECT: NORWAY HESITATING TO COMMIT TO GAZA INTERDICTION
EFFORT
REF: STATE 4900
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Kevin M. Johnson
for reasons 1.4 b and d
C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000083
PASS TO P: CNICOLAIDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2019
TAGS: EG KPAL MARR MOPS PREL XG NO
SUBJECT: NORWAY HESITATING TO COMMIT TO GAZA INTERDICTION
EFFORT
REF: STATE 4900
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Kevin M. Johnson
for reasons 1.4 b and d
1. (C) The GON is struggling to make up its mind regarding
the request to participate in the Gaza Interdiction Effort.
The MFA is aware of the January 23 deadline in responding and
promised to send their embassy in Washington their final
decision today, but the hesitation and uncertainty is
telling. MFA officials expressed several concerns regarding
the initiative including uncertainty over what Norway could
contribute and asked for confirmation that the Obama
Administration was behind this proposal.
2. (C) Comment: Embassy Oslo believes that the stated
concerns are not the underlying cause of the GON's reluctance
to participate. Instead we believe this stems from a general
aversion to military/intelligence actions and to the GON's
ties with Hamas. Although not stated by the MFA, 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 their 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. End Comment.
WHITNEY
PASS TO P: CNICOLAIDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2019
TAGS: EG KPAL MARR MOPS PREL XG NO
SUBJECT: NORWAY HESITATING TO COMMIT TO GAZA INTERDICTION
EFFORT
REF: STATE 4900
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Kevin M. Johnson
for reasons 1.4 b and d
1. (C) The GON is struggling to make up its mind regarding
the request to participate in the Gaza Interdiction Effort.
The MFA is aware of the January 23 deadline in responding and
promised to send their embassy in Washington their final
decision today, but the hesitation and uncertainty is
telling. MFA officials expressed several concerns regarding
the initiative including uncertainty over what Norway could
contribute and asked for confirmation that the Obama
Administration was behind this proposal.
2. (C) Comment: Embassy Oslo believes that the stated
concerns are not the underlying cause of the GON's reluctance
to participate. Instead we believe this stems from a general
aversion to military/intelligence actions and to the GON's
ties with Hamas. Although not stated by the MFA, 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 their 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. End Comment.
WHITNEY