DENMARK: 2009 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM

UNCLAS COPENHAGEN 000015 SIPDIS DEPT FOR S/CT:RHONDA SHORE AND NCTC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER ASEC DA SUBJECT: DENMARK: 2009 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM REF: (A) 09 STATE 122733 (B) 09 STATE 109980 ¶1. There follows Post's submission for the 2009 Country Reports on Terrorism, including year-end updates: BEGIN TEXT: Denmark The Center for Terror Analysis of the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET) assessed that there is a general terrorist threat against Denmark, both from groups and individuals in Denmark as well as a threat against Danes and Danish interests abroad. The threat comes primarily from networks, groups, and individuals who adhere to various forms of militant Islamic ideology, including al-Qa'ida (AQ)-related groups and networks. Denmark maintained its strong response to the threat of terrorism. While there were no terrorist attacks in Denmark in 2009, a plot to attack the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten was disrupted through a cooperative effort of Danish and American authorities. Denmark worked closely with the United States on UN and other multilateral counterterrorism efforts, including the Financial Action Task Force, and in international nonproliferation groups, such as the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) and the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism. Denmark cooperated closely with EU partners and institutions within the field of counter-radicalization. We note however, that Roj-TV, a Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)- affiliated media outlet, continued to operate in Denmark. On October 3 in Chicago, the FBI arrested a U.S. citizen named David Headley, formerly known as Daood Gilani, age 49. Headley was charged with planning terror attacks in Denmark, most notably against the headquarters of Jyllands-Posten, the Danish newspaper whose publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in 2005 outraged many Muslims around the world. The joint investigation leading to Headley's arrest was conducted by the PET and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Headley was also charged with planning the Mumbai terror attacks. Headley was denied bail and was awaiting trial in the United States at the end of the year. In 2009, there were no prosecutions in Denmark under counterterrorism legislation. The Danish parliament voted on June 11 to maintain its troop level of up to 750 in Afghanistan until 2012. Danish troops serve as part of the International Security Assistance Force. Most of these are engaged in Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan. As a country participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP),Denmark continued to comply with requirements in the VWP law related to information sharing and other law enforcement and counterterrorism cooperation. END TEXT. ¶2. Point of Contact is Political Officer Patrick Armstrong. Unclas: armstrongpk(at symbol)state.gov; clas: armstrongpk(at symbol)state.sgov.gov; office phone: (45)3341 7135 mobile phone: (45)2937 7343 MCCULLEY